Tim Tebow joining Stephen A. Smith, ‘First Take’ every Friday as one of Max Kellerman’s replacements
Tim Tebow, after being cut from the Jacksonville Jaguars last month, will make regular appearances every Friday on the iconic ESPN show alongside Stephen A. Smith, the network announced on Thursday.
Tebow is one of several big names joining Smith on the show, and one of two people who get a dedicated day each week. Former Dallas Cowboys star and current NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin will join Smith and co-host Molly Qerim Rose on the show on Mondays.
“This new format will pair Smith with new voices and perspectives every day of the week who will challenge him on their specific area of expertise in a completely new way,” senior coordinating producer Antoine Lewis said in a statement.
Tebow and Irvin are among the crew of people who will replace Max Kellerman on “First Take.”
Kellerman, who was Skip Bayless’ replacement after he left the show for Fox Sports in 2016, participated in his last episode on Thursday. He will remain with the network and join ESPN Radio’s morning show with Keyshawn Johnson and Jay Williams next week.
Tebow returns to ESPN after failed NFL comeback
Tebow made another run at an NFL career earlier this year, and signed a brief deal with the Jaguars as a tight end.
The former Florida standout and Heisman Trophy winner reunited with his former college coach Urban Meyer in Jacksonville and attempted to make it as a tight end. The team, however, cut him after their first preseason game — which presumably ends the 34-year-old’s playing career.
Tebow, who won a pair of national championships at Florida, initially spent time with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets as a quarterback upon entering the league, and then opted to try and make it in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets. He never made it out of the minor leagues, though, and eventually made it back to football earlier this year. He’s also served as an analyst in various roles with ESPN since his initial NFL stint ended.
Though his playing days are now behind him, it seems that Tebow is far from done at ESPN.
