If you’ve noticed your mornings have been quieter lately, it’s perhaps because the ever-boisterous Stephen A. Smith has been absent from ESPN’s “First Take.”
Smith revealed Thursday why he’s recently been off TV.
He tweeted: “Appreciate the love I’ve been receiving from everyone who’s missed me on @FirstTake. I’m out because I’m rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Partial tear — rotator cuff AND Bicep, along with frayed Labrum, plus a Bone Spur. Aging sucks, but it is what it is. Back next month.#AllLove”
Shoulder surgery? Sounds rough. But thankfully, it’s nothing more serious and Smith plans to return to his prominent on-air position at ESPN upon recovering from his injuries.
Smith is a polarizing personality, known for delivering his strong opinions — on any and all sports subjects — with the volume turned way up. There’s no denying he works his tail off, though, which some might argue is a case of overexposure on ESPN’s part.
Nevertheless, when you’re paying Smith as much as ESPN reportedly is, you might as well get your money’s worth. And Smith has been a fixture during ESPN’s NBA Finals coverage, among other events, in addition to for years being a staple in the network’s morning programming.
Here’s to a speedy recovery.
