Tag: First Take

Cam Newton causes stir with bold take on MVP vs. Super Bowl ring debate

As expected, Cam Newton’s opinion on taking his MVP award over a Super Bowl ring stirred up some folks on social media.

Death, taxes and Cam Newton making people . . . well . . . you know the rest, Carolina Panthers fans.

The franchise’s all-time leading passer made quite a stir on Thursday morning, after stating on ESPN’s First Take that he wouldn’t trade his Most Valuable Player award for a Super Bowl ring.

But instead of just hearing him out and moving on with their days, quite a few folks had to add their own two cents into Newton’s point of view. (And we can’t say we didn’t expect it.)

Here are some of the most interesting reactions (both positive and negative) to Cam’s take:

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Panthers great Cam Newton says he wouldn’t trade his MVP award for Super Bowl title

Panthers legend Cam Newton on if he’d trade his MVP award for a Super Bowl ring: “Nope.”

Well, Cam Newton has never claimed to be like most folks.

On Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, host Stephen A. Smith posed a simple question to the Carolina Panthers legend—asking Newton if he’d be willing to trade his Most Valuable Player award for a Super Bowl title.

And Newton, as he often does, brought a different kind of perspective to the table.

“Nope,” he replied. “What’s more important—impact or championships? You look at a guy like Allen Iverson. Everybody’s not gonna be a Michael Jordan. Everybody’s not gonna be Patrick Mahomes. Everybody’s not gonna be these individuals who have the luxury of saying, ‘Hey, I not only dominated this sport, but I also have championships to back it.

“Let me remind you—Brad Johnson won a Super Bowl. Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl. Respectfully, Nick Foles won a Super Bowl. So, yes, when you look at those guys and you say, ‘What’s more important? Would you have preferred to win a Super Bowl?’ I think that’s a humble approach.

“But if we’re being honest, the impact of you holding yourself accountable to say, ‘Everybody has a responsibility to do.’ And you can say, as an MVP award winner, or All-American, you’ve held yourself or you’ve held the bargain down.”

Newton held up that particular bargain in 2015 by recording 4,473 total yards and 45 total touchdowns en route to a near-unanimous MVP win. His all-time campaign helped lead the Panthers to a franchise-best 15-1 record in the regular season.

But the bargain stopped short in Super Bowl 50, where Newton and the Panthers were stopped by the Denver Broncos in a deflating 24-10 loss. Newton, in his one and only Super Bowl appearance, completed 18 of his 41 throws for 265 yards and an interception while coughing up a pair of fumbles.

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ESPN panel rips Tyreek Hill for ‘frustrated’ comments: ‘You made it about you’

ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe and Ryan Clark laid into Tyreek Hill for quitting on his team.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill defended his end-of-season comments, telling Twitch viewers that he “deserves” to feel frustrated after an 8-9 season. The panel ESPN’s First Take doesn’t want to hear it, though.

In a segment on Monday morning, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Ryan Clark, Dan Orlovsky, and Shannon Sharpe tore into the eight-time Pro Bowl receiver for his comments.

While Smith centered much of his criticism around the actions that led Hill to get traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Dolphins, Sharpe and Clark took issue with Hill’s decision to pull himself out of action in the second half of Miami’s Week 18 loss to the New York Jets.

“I don’t want to hear nothing Tyreek Hill got to say,” Sharpe said. “Tyreek Hill quit on his team in the fourth quarter. I don’t want to hear nothing about frustration. I don’t want to hear nothing about no dogs. Because you weren’t a dog in the fourth quarter. Jaylen Waddle asked you ‘Reek, you done?’ You quit! Was that about your family? Was that about being a dog?

“I don’t want to hear a damn thing Tyreek Hill is saying, because Tyreek Hill quit on his team no different than what [De’Vondre] Campbell did to the San Francisco 49ers. … Everybody that’s played this game has been frustrated. Tom Brady, the greatest player to play this game, he’s been frustrated. But he didn’t quit. You quit! Simple as that. … It disqualifies everything you said after that.”

“Tyreek Hill is no different than a million other dudes that did exactly what we were blessed to do,” Clark later added. “The difference is — when we were 7-8 or when we were 8-8 or we were getting blown out — I said to myself I’m going to dig my heels in, I’m going to run downhill, and I’m going to hit everybody in the facemask until the clock strikes zero, because that’s what I can control.

“What Tyreek could’ve controlled, no matter if [Tyler] Huntley was at quarterback or Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, was to run his route as hard as he possibly could, was to block as he possibly could. He can’t do none of that from the sideline.”

“Bro, I don’t want to hear nothing, because you made it about you,” Sharpe later said. “Keep the focus on you. Talk about you not taking your butt back in that game.”

In a season-wrap press conference, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that he met with Hill and expressed “that it’s not acceptable to leave a game and won’t be tolerated in the future.”

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Kirk Herbstreit fires shot at “First Take” in order to defend Ryan Day

Kirk Herbstreit went to bat for Ohio State football’s Ryan Day after many called for his job following the Buckeyes loss to Michigan.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have had a crazy last month. They were set to be in the Big Ten Championship Game with a win over Michigan, closing as an almost three-score home favorite.

However, they lost that game, and many started to call for Ryan Day’s job, hoping the athletic director would announce a replacement for the successor to Urban Meyer.

However, the Buckeyes followed that loss up with a massive 42-17 home win over the Tennessee Volunteers. Former Ohio State quarterback and College Gameday star Kirk Herbstreit kept the receipts.

Herbstreit commented on the view of ESPN’s First Take, a popular sports commentary show. He said, “First Take tried to fire him. They thought he was done.”

He isn’t necessarily wrong, but if a head coach losses that type of game against a rival, there is always going to be chatter about what is next for such a star-studded program.

While most did jump the gun in the situation, the friendly fire from ESPN partners seems to have stirred up some stiff. Let’s just say Shannon Sharpe didn’t take it well.

That said, everyone should soon move on and await the Buckeyes next game against the Oregon Ducks on January 1.

ESPN ponders whether Steelers have a George Pickens problem

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighs in on George Pickens’ Week 12 postgame comments, sparking debate about whether the Steelers have a problem.

As many fans are well aware, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens’ antics both during and after the team’s Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns left much to be desired. Pickens has found himself embroiled in drama throughout the 2024 season, and it appears his recent Week 12 behavior, along with his postgame comments blaming the weather for the loss, was enough to draw the attention of ESPN.

On a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, host Molly Qerim posed a question that has been on the minds of Steelers fans: “Do the Steelers have a George Pickens problem?” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith responded, stating that while he didn’t believe Pickens was a problem for the organization, he felt Pickens was wrong to make excuses for his team’s Week 12 performance: “You’re a Pittsburgh Steeler. I’ve never heard a Pittsburgh Steeler in my life complain about inclement weather.”

Smith is correct in his assessment, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could do without one of their star players drawing attention to themselves for all the wrong reasons.

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Former Steelers safety defends Mike Tomlin in Week 12 blame game

Ryan Clark defends Mike Tomlin’s fourth-quarter decision against the Browns, while the Steelers face scrutiny over Week 12’s struggles.

Once a Steeler, always a Steeler. While appearing on ESPN’s First Take, former Steelers safety-turned-analyst Ryan Clark proved he will forever bleed Black and Gold.

Host Molly Qerim asked Clark if Head Coach Mike Tomlin was to blame for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Clark, demonstrating immense loyalty to his former coach, defended Tomlin’s most questionable call—the acceptance of the illegal touching by an offensive lineman penalty in the fourth quarter—stating it was the correct decision.

Clark added that making the field goal attempt tougher with the acceptance of the penalty could have paid dividends for the Steelers if the defense had stopped the Browns.

The conversation shifted to discuss who was truly to blame, with the general consensus landing on Arthur Smith’s poor playcalling in Week 12. Pittsburgh will need to reevaluate its offensive approach moving forward, as the Cincinnati Bengals await the Steelers in Week 13 on December 1 at 1:00 PM EST.

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Panthers great Cam Newton joining ESPN’s ‘First Take’ as regular panelist

Cam Newton is signing a deal . . . with ESPN!

Cam Newton will be back on your television screens.

As announced on Thursday, the Carolina Panthers legend has agreed to a contract with ESPN to become a regular panelist on First Take—the network’s signature morning debate show.

David Roberts, ESPN’s executive vice president and executive editor of sports news and entertainment, had the following to say about the super signing in the following statement this morning:

“Cam Newton’s addition to First Take brings an electrifying presence, enhancing our roster of top-tier personalities,” Roberts said. “His dynamic charisma, combined with the high-profile debates alongside Stephen A. Smith, will create compelling, must-watch television for fans.”

Newton was also included in the official release.

“I’ve always brought passion and energy into everything I do, and that won’t change at ESPN,” he stated. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my perspective and go toe-to-toe with the best in the business. Fans can expect the same intensity I brought to the field, along with real talk, bold takes, and good fun.”

Behind the growing popularity of his YouTube channel, the former NFL Most Valuable Player has successfully transitioned into media since his playing days. Newton, who isn’t officially retired from the game, last played in 2021.

His First Take debut is set for tomorrow’s live show from Tennessee State University.

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Stephen A. Smith torches former Badger legend on ESPN’s ‘First Take’

Stephen A. Smith went off on Russell Wilson this week:

Sports media personality Stephan A. Smith went ballistic on former Wisconsin legend Russell Wilson during ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday.

The criticism came after Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin reaffirmed his position regarding Wilson’s role as his team’s starting quarterback. The former UW icon also downplayed any concerns about Pittsburgh’s offense in a recent interview on 93.7 The Fan.

While the New Jersey native appears to believe the offense will hum under his leadership, the preseason outputs suggest otherwise.

Through two games this preseason, former Chicago Bear Justin Fields has logged 159 yards passing on 16 completions (23 attempts). Wilson, meanwhile, notched 47 yards on eight completed passes in his Steelers debut on Aug. 17.

Smith, never shy about sharing his opinion, shared thoughts on Wilson and the Steelers’ quarterback situation:

“You stunk last year,” Smith said. “The Denver Broncos (ate) nearly $38 million to get rid of you. You’re sitting there fighting for a starting job with Justin Fields. You’re not fighting for a starting job with Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson.”

“All this smiling and getting along, I don’t want to hear this stuff from him,” Smith added. “Too cool for school. You’re fighting for your career. Act like it, Russell Wilson. I don’t understand how it’s cool to for you to sit up there with a smile on your face.

Here is the full clip:

With roughly two weeks remaining until the Steelers’ opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Wilson still remains atop the team’s quarterback depth chart. His first unit will square off with the Detroit Lions on Aug. 24 in the crew’s final preseason game ahead of the 2024 slate.

‘I forgot they still played football,’ Paul Finebaum takes another shot at Clemson, Dabo Swinney

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum escalated his war of words against Clemson and Dabo Swinney during a recent appearance on “First Take.”

ESPN commentator Paul Finebaum took another shot at Clemson and Dabo Swinney during a recent appearance on “First Take.”

Finebaum, who previously labeled Swinney “the get-off-my-lawn guy” and called his comments on the unintended consequences of the 12-team College Football Playoff “plain dumb,” went on another anti-Clemson/Swinney tirade last week.

Finebaum said that the Tigers would “get run out of the building” by Georgia in the team’s season-opener at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium (noon ET, ABC) August 31.

“I forgot they still played football. Is Dabo Swinney in a missing person’s bulletin right now? Because they had the ACC media days recently and usually Dabo controls the theater, and I don’t remember a single thing he said because he’s still complaining about everything that’s wrong with college football while his program slips into mediocrity,” Finebaum said.

RELATED: Opinion: Dabo Swinney is right about ‘unintended consequences’ of College Football Playoff

Back in May, Finebaum predicted that Swinney’s time was “nearly up” because of the coach’s stance on the transfer portal and NIL. He added that Florida State had already “pulled ahead” of Clemson and that Miami and other ACC programs could, as well.

“To me, he is falling so far behind. That doesn’t mean they can’t have a good program,” Finebaum said of Swinney and Clemson at the time. ‘That is, if you call 9-3 or 8-4 or maybe the occasional 10-2 a great program. But that’s not the same school that went to six consecutive CFP’s a couple of years ago, that played for four national championships. I think that part of it is over.

“And Dabo Swinney may think he’s smart, playing this game of how it’s going to be, but that’s not the way things are… (College football) has changed so quickly in the last three years, and if you missed a minute, you fell behind. He missed three years, and he is way behind and he’s not catching up.”

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and commentary. 

Bart Scott reacts to the possibility that Aaron Rodgers may not play in preseason

Should Aaron Rodgers play in preseason?

Should the New York Jets not play quarterback Aaron Rodgers in preseason? That was the lead question from the ESPN show ‘First Take’ on Wednesday.

The decision to potentially sit Rodgers for all three Jets preseason games is certainly a complicated issue and one that could very well have Week 1 implications for the team.

On Wednesday, Jets head coach Robert Saleh seemed to indicate that Rodgers may not play in preseason.

Following an injury just four offensive snaps into the season opener last year, there is the temptation to wrap Rodgers in bubble wrap and make sure he is as healthy as possible for this season. The decision to potentially shelve Rodgers until the season opener led to a healthy debate between former Jets linebacker Bart Scott and ESPN personality Christoper ‘Mad Dog’ Russo on Wednesday.

Scott cautioned that the opinion expressed by Russo of playing Rodgers in the preseason in order to excite the fanbase isn’t as important as the pragmatic decision of resting Rodgers.

“When you start caring about the feelings of the fans, you become a fan. Robert Saleh understands that this is the last year, they’re all in. Either Aaron Rodgers and this team and this regime have a great season – I’m not just talking about the wild card. They have to win some playoff games and puhs and compete for a Super Bowl or an AFC Championship,” Scott said on ESPN.

“I’m not putting the franchise at risk. I’m going to allow him to continue to get healthy and let this offensive line continue to develop.”

Scott said that the joint practice with the New York Giants during training camp can serve the Jets in terms of getting Rodgers for the season opener at the San Francisco 49ers.

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“Everybody can go live but when you get close to our quarterback, ease up. Not ready yet…it’s important for Aaron Rodgers to know that he can withstand a hit but I don’t need to find that out right now. I need to continue to let that muscle to get stronger, that tendon to stretch out – to become more liable and more flexible,” Scott said as part of the ESPN panel.

“The first time he gets hit? It may be by Nick Bosa. That’s fine though because that’s as long as we can push it.”