Did Shannon Sharpe threaten Kirk Herbstreit over Ohio State criticism?

Some spicy drama unfolded within ESPN over the first weekend of the 2024 College Football Playoff. Kirk Herbstreit, a prominent analyst for ESPN and part of the College GameDay crew, stirred the pot by taking a swipe at the network’s popular debate show, First Take. Naturally, the show’s stars, Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith, had something to say about it when they went live on Monday morning.

 

What Sparked the Tension?

The drama started during the Ohio State vs. Tennessee playoff game. Herbstreit, who was calling the game alongside Chris Fowler, criticized First Take for fueling rumors about Ohio State head coach Ryan Day’s job security. After the Buckeyes’ disappointing regular-season loss to Michigan, there had been chatter on First Take about whether Day should be fired. Herbstreit pointed fingers, saying the show essentially “tried to fire him” and wrote Day off too soon.

Fast forward to Saturday’s game, and the Buckeyes silenced the doubters with a commanding 42-17 victory over Tennessee. Toward the end of the broadcast, Herbstreit brought up First Take’s role in the Day speculation, sparking a debate that spilled into Monday.

 

Stephen A. Smith Responds

Stephen A. Smith, always ready for a debate, addressed Herbstreit’s comments during First Take’s Monday broadcast. Smith, showing a bit of restraint, started by expressing respect for Herbstreit and his colleague Chris Fowler. But then, he owned up to his part in the controversy.

“Let’s be clear—this wasn’t a First Take thing; this was me, Stephen A.,” he said firmly. “I said Ryan Day, with his 66-10 record, should be on the hot seat if he doesn’t win a National Championship. I said it, and I’m not backing down now.”

While Smith’s tone was measured, he stood by his opinion, showing no signs of walking back his hot take.

 

Shannon Sharpe Fires Back

Shannon Sharpe, however, wasn’t as calm. His response carried a sharper edge, making it clear he didn’t appreciate Herbstreit’s critique. Sharpe warned, “Don’t play with me. If we’re working for the same network, don’t do that.” He added, “If you ever mention a platform I’m on in a negative light again, I promise you, ESPN doesn’t have enough bosses to stop me from saying what I want to say.”

Sharpe’s fiery comments were aimed directly at Herbstreit, highlighting his frustration over being called out on-air by a fellow ESPN personality.

At the heart of this drama is the ongoing debate about Ryan Day’s future as Ohio State’s head coach. Smith has doubled down on his stance, maintaining that Day’s job should be tied to winning a National Championship. Herbstreit, meanwhile, seems to believe that First Take and its commentators have been too quick to criticize, stirring unnecessary drama around Day’s job security.

As for Sharpe, his reaction suggests he sees Herbstreit’s critique as a breach of professional respect. It’s clear he wasn’t thrilled about being dragged into the debate, especially in a way that he felt unfairly portrayed his role on First Take.

This clash between some of ESPN’s biggest personalities shows just how passionate—and sometimes heated—debates about college football can get, both on the field and in the studio. While Ohio State fans celebrate their playoff win, the tension at ESPN is far from over.

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