"He knows he can’t hold a candle to Max Kellerman": Terrell Owens rips Stephen A. Smith after ex-ESPN analyst reveals real reason for First Take exit

errell Owens rips Stephen A. Smith after ex-ESPN analyst reveals real reason for exit from First Take
errell Owens rips Stephen A. Smith after ex-ESPN analyst reveals real reason for exit from First Take

Retired NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens took a shot at Stephen A. Smith after Max Kellerman opened up about his departure from ESPN's "First Take."

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On "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Kellerman talked about his experience on "First Take" alongside Smith. He highlighted their competitiveness and said his ability to outdebate Smith may have led to his departure from the show in 2021.

"If you're doing a debate show and you're a competitive person, why would you want me as a partner?"Kellerman said. "That's bad. You want to go 15 rounds everyday with Mohammed Kellerman? It's embarrassing.
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"That's what I could tell you from my point of view. And I also think that if you make a calculation, that if you can be perceived as a solo act really, that you can get paid at a certain level that you can't if you're not a solo act, then you'd like to be a solo act."
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Owens backed up Kellerman's statement.

"He knows he can't hold a candle to Max!!!" Owens tweeted.

Back in 2021, Smith said Kellerman was removed from the show because their partnership had faltered. He also said it was the network's decision, despite his having a role in Kellerman's removal.

"The rumor's accurate in terms of me wanting him off the show," Smith said on "The Hot 97 Radio Show." "It was not a great partnership anymore and that was something that needed to change.
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"It wasn't really about asking him to be off the show, it was about the fact that I knew that we, together, as far as I was concerned, was not a great partnership anymore and that was something that needed to change."

In June 2025, Kellerman made his first broadcasting appearance on Netflix during the Sept. 13 MMA fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.

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Stephen A. Smith shares his thoughts on Dan Campbell and the Lions ahead of their Week 14 game against the Cowboys

On Thursday's episode of "First Take," Stephen A. Smith shared his perspective on the Lions' season ahead of their game against the Dallas Cowboys.

He questioned whether Dan Campbell and his team missed their opportunity to become Super Bowl contenders.

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"What is going on with the Lions," Smith said. "You're getting the impression you've missed your window of opportunity. ... You're looking at the Detroit Lions and you're saying to yourself 'this is your opportunity' you're on the outside looking in.
"This wasn't supposed to happen. You weren't supposed to be on the outside looking in with seven teams ahead of you record-wise. We didn't expect that. ... This could be it for them."

The Lions are third in the NFC North behind the Packers and the Bears. They entered Thursday's game with a 7-5 record following last week's loss to the Packers.

Detroit Lions Fans! Check out the latest Lions Schedule and dive into the Detroit Lions Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Priyam Hazarika
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