ESPN Commentator Stephen A. Smith Storms Off of 'First Take' Set After On-Air Argument

Stephen A. Smith stormed off the set of ESPN’s First Take on Monday evening.

It occurred during a discussion with Ryan Clark about the Dallas Cowboys, a team Smith has often criticized on-air.

“Bottom line is this: Dak Prescott will be better this year, the Dallas Cowboys will be better this year,” Clark concluded his glowing views. “The Dallas Cowboys have a chance to not only have the best defense in the NFC, they have a chance to have the best defense in the entire NFL.”

Smith appeared to have something to say throughout Clark’s remarks, and instantly shot back at him: “I’ve said, ‘If the nuclear bomb dropped, it’s rats, roaches and Cowboys fans.

“It's amazing to me after all the years of futility,” Smith continued, “they have you and everybody else sitting up there and going ‘They gonna be better this year, they gonna be better this year.’ Stop it, they're gonna be what they've been being.”

As an amused Clark looked on while Smith’s co-hosts, Kimberley Martin and Christine Williamson, stood back and let Smith roll.

“They are going to be right there,” Smith railed against the Cowboys. “They are going to be good enough to get in the playoffs, then they're going to go home."

It was then that Smith dropped the mic on both the Cowboys and his co-hosts. “I'm done with the Cowboys stuff, you don't listen. Despite how good they are talent wise, they're going to fall again.”

At this point Smith departed the set, leaving a trio of baffled presenters.

Smith’s appearance was his first after taking a bit of a break following the 2022–23 season, in which he was a near-constant presence on ESPN. He recently made headlines when he was spotted at the beach with a female companion.

Smith does have a habit of walking out on his television appearances, especially First Take. One notable instance saw Smith giving an impassioned speech calling out NBA players for speaking to then-Celtics team president Danny Ainge’s resignation.