Stephen A. Smith Calls Out Terrell Owens for Speaking on ESPN Host's Rift With Max Kellerman

The Pro Football Hall of Famer took shots at Smith after the ESPN analyst shed light on parting ways with his 'First Take' co-host.

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Stephen A. Smith isn't a fan of Terrell Owens, who on Friday called out the ESPN talking head for speaking on the former's falling out with First Take co-host Max Kellerman.

During a recent appearance on the Joe Budden Podcast, Smith detailed why he parted ways with Kellerman.

“I had mad respect for him from the standpoint of white dude, highly intelligent, Ivy League, educated from Columbia," Smith shared. "Smart as a whip. Can talk his ass off. Can talk about anything. I get all that. But you weren’t an athlete, and you weren’t a journalist. And the absence of the two components left people wondering ‘why should we listen to you?'”

In a subsequent tweet, Smith added context to his remarks.

"Same question, Same answer for damn-near two years now: Max & I weren’t working in the end," he explained. "I wanted to win. So I didn’t want that duo. Does mean he’s isn’t smart, talented and that he’s not a good guy. I have nothing against him. I wish him well. Just needed a change. That’s all."

Same question, Same answer for damn-near two years now: Max & I weren’t working in the end. I wanted to win. So I didn’t want that duo. Does mean he’s isn’t smart, talented and that he’s not a good guy. I have nothing against him. I wish him well. Just needed a change. That’s all https://t.co/wDJ0pL7eXK

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @stephenasmith

Fans noted that Smith's comments were not painting the full picture of the situation.

Let’s be honest, that stuff Stephen A said about it being business is BS. He wanted Max gone the very second TO came up there and said “he almost sounding blacker than you.” Max was getting a lot of the black love and Stephen A didn’t like that.

— Lvl. 30 Itachi (@its_Dstarr24) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @its_Dstarr24

That’s such cap and bs, probably the one time I wouldn’t believe something out of Stephen A’s mouth. Max gets kicked from FT, gets his own show, has show taken in the form of adding new bodies to it, then gets fired from ESPN. If Max never gets booted from FT Max still had a job. https://t.co/NNLXYvrFRy

— CF | TrainerFrankie (@vVvFrankie) September 15, 2023
Twitter: @vVvFrankie

From there, a clip featuring T.O. circulated social media, in which the former star wide receiver appeared on First Take and roasted Smith for not being as Black as Kellerman. "Max almost seems Blacker than you, Stephen A, with his commentary" Owens said at the time.

T.O. also quote-tweeted the post, writing, "FACTS," which led Smith to issue a response.

"Now….as for this dude, that’s an entirely different story," Smith said. "You know how I feel about your sorry ass @terrellowens and you know why! You should thank your Heavenly Father I haven’t zeroed in on you with the trifling shit you tried to pull. Tell folks to ask ESPN what your desperate ass tried to pull. Keep on talking. Eventually, you’ll expose yourself."

Check out the back-and-forth, and watch Stephen A. Smith's full interview with Joe Budden below.

FACTS!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/L2YWXMbykh

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @terrellowens

Now….as for this dude, that’s an entirely different story. You know how I feel about your sorry ass @terrellowens and you know why! You should thank your Heavenly Father I haven’t zeroed in on you with the trifling shit you tried to pull. Tell folks to ask ESPN what your… https://t.co/MIROwzBdTU

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @stephenasmith

Or…….maybe I’ll just dedicate the entire Stephen A. Smith Show/Podcast on YouTube this Monday to all the things you tried to do behind the scenes — to BROTHERS — over the years while claiming someone is more of a Brother than others. Let me thing about that over the next 24… https://t.co/MIROwzBdTU

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @stephenasmith

Behind what scenes???!
Again, Man I’m NOT WORRIED because I stand on my character and who I am. You better come with some FACTS and not this hearsay and anonymous sources because that’s not gonna fly. https://t.co/6ZSoos5nxz

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @terrellowens

Now Stephen A…Ask me if I’m scared?! I thank God every day or I at least try to but do what you do best. I’m not worried. You don’t have to make some bold attempt to “expose me” because I have NOTHING to hide. You’re mad because of the advice of my attorney after we filed… https://t.co/LIf2xGTT8U

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @terrellowens

Don’t stand down now!!! I’ll be sorry and pathetic, be sure to keep that same energy when you see me next time. You see I’m not intimidated by you because you have a platform and a loud mouth to claim that that you’re going to allegedly expose me about something . It seems to me… https://t.co/2hxGJq2ehV

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @terrellowens

Kyrie Irving even chimed in, encouraging these two to get on the phone and hash it out.

@stephenasmith can y’all Call each other like Grown Mature Men and Clear the air without all of the extra social media back and forth?

Get what you need off your chest and move on. #Therearemoreimportantthingstodo

Chief Hélà 🤞🏾♾🪶

— Chief Hélà 🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) September 16, 2023
Twitter: @KyrieIrving

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