“I Don’t Do the Hiring”: Shannon Sharpe Credits Stephen A. Smith’s Benevolence for His Success

After a successful NFL career, Shannon Sharpe is making waves on the TV. He is famously known as the co-host of FOX’s Undisputed with Skip Bayless, but he recently left the show in June after some discord. But the former Undisputed host already has a bright future lined up for him with none other than Stephen A. Smith.

ESPN’s First Take analyst Stephen A. Smith has recently stepped in the light to lend a hand to Shannon Sharpe, who had been facing a career crisis following his exit from Undisputed after six years. But the retired Denver Broncos tight end exposes the kindness of Stephen A. Smith in his recent appearance at The Talk CBS. 

Shannon Sharpe expresses his gratitude for Stephen A. Smith 

During his appearance at The Talk CBS, Shannon Sharpe credits Stephen A. Smith for being the one to save his career and bring him out of the dilemma. The former NFL TE said, “I can’t thank Stephen enough because of the situation when I left FOX. I really didn’t know what I was going to do. But he reached out and said ‘Big boy, I want you with me.'” 

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Shannon Sharpe goes on to quote the 56-year-old commentator, saying, “I don’t do the hiring. All I can do is recommend.” And Stephen A. Smith is clear in his choice about Sharpe being the next successor of First Take. “But for him to say I want him when I was a rival of his…” he trailed off with a gesture of awe and wonder. 

Both Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless had served as an analyst for ESPN’s First Take. But Skip Bayless left Smith in 2016 to join Shannon Sharpe to launch the famous Undisputed show on Fox the same year. And now, when Skip Bayless grew cold on Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith still looks at him with kindness and benevolence. He co-signed for Sharpe and stated, “We are talking to (Shannon Sharpe) and I’m hopeful, very hopeful, very confident that ultimately we will be announcing sooner than later that he will be on First Take.“

After Shannon Sharpe joins ESPN’s First Take, it is a win-win for both parties. Stephen A. Smith, who only has two more years with the show, would have found a worthy successor, and Sharpe would’ve shown Skip Bayless what it meant to feel defeated. 

Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless’ Undisputed

In 2016, Shannon Sharpe partnered with Skip Bayless and served as the co-host of the sports debate show Undisputed. But six years later, he left the show with some sources reportedly pointing out that Sharpe has expressed his sense of inequality as a partner with Skip Bayless. Sources reported that he doesn’t receive the same payment or treatment as his 71-year-old co-host. 

With Stephen A. Smith coming to the rescue, the future looks bright for Shannon Sharpe with a potential role at First Take. As for Skip Bayless and Undisputed, he’s joined by other prominent figures like Michael Irvin and Lil Wayne, among others. 

Shannon Sharpe has a godfather in Stephen A. Smith who swept down to scoop him up from a maze of dilemma and anxiety. We hope the future will be productive for the 55-year-old athlete and TV personality as he embarks on a new chapter of his life. 

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