Cam Newton takes shots at Max Kellerman over Stephen A. Smith diss 4 years after ESPN exit

Ex-NFL quarterback Cam Newton has hit back at analyst Max Kellerman for slamming his former "First Take" co-host Stephen A. Smith four years after leaving ESPN. Kellerman, who was unceremoniously removed from ESPN in 2021, appeared on "The Bill Simmons" podcast last week and claimed that Smith is just a "reactor" and has "no hot takes."

On Thursday, Newton appeared to defend Smith from criticism while taking shots at Kellerman during his "4th&1" show.

"If you have not paid attention, they're giving it to people who are more entertaining just because you covered sports for 15 years, that don't mean that you the right person for ESPN," Newton said in response to Kellerman's dig at Smith. "You have to have an audience. You have to have a community of people that can bring to the platform of ESPN, that's where you create value. All these platforms care about are ratings ... nobody cares if you do not have a community or an audience. "Say whatever you want to say about Stephen A., he's on every single platform of ESPN. He's the cash cow because ESPN knows he has figured out, if I just hit people with statistics and analytics all day, I'm gonna put him to sleep ... if you don't evolve with it, you gonna dissolve with it."

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Smith has been with ESPN since 2003. He has been on the network's "First Take" show since April 2012.

After Kellerman's exit from ESPN, Smith revealed that he tried to get rid of his former co-host in the summer of 2019, 2020, and 2021 by speaking to the network's executives. Smith, who wanted to be the center of the show, eventually got what he wanted on the third time of asking.

In August, Cam Newton agreed to a multi-year deal to serve as an analyst on ESPN.

Cam Newton opens up on Philip Rivers coming out of retirement to sign with the Indianapolis Colts

Former NFL QB Cam Newton - Source: Imagn

On Thursday, Cam Newton discussed Philip Rivers' sensational return to the NFL after five years at 44. The QB signed with the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad on Wednesday. However, Newton had a unique take on the situation.

"It's almost like a slap to my face," Newton said on his "4th&1" show.

Newton, who hasn't officially announced his retirement, last played in the NFL in 2021.

"I don't give a damn if (Rivers) was in their family," Newton said. "He's 44 years old, bro. Why do people hold Cam Newton to a standard that you aren't holding to everyone else?"

Earlier this year, Rivers was named as a semifinalist for the Class of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, his candidacy is expected to be delayed by another five years if he is moved to Indy's active roster this season.

Edited by Arnold