Tim Tebow’s Next Opponent Will Be ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on “First Take”

Tebow will have his hands full going head-to-head with Smith

Tim Tebow practicing with the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to being cut
Tim Tebow practicing with the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to being cut.
Sam Greenwood/Getty

With his bid to make the NFL as a tight end now over after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tim Tebow is looking for a new line of full-time employment.

In the meantime, he’s apparently landed himself a part-time gig at ESPN.

Following Max Kellerman’s planned departure from First Take this week as part of a shake-up at The Worldwide Leader, Stephen A. Smith will need some new hosts to loudly argue with him on the popular debate show. One of Smith’s new co-hosts, as the network confirmed earlier this week, will be retired NFL star Michael Irvin. During the NFL season and possibly beyond, the former Cowboy will join Smith and Qerim Rose to “debate the week’s key on-the-field moments and under-the-radar stories” on Mondays. Leading into the weekend on Fridays, however, will be Tebow Time.

With college football’s biggest matchups taking place on Saturdays, the former Florida star and SEC Network analyst will join Smith the day before to discuss the biggest topics in the NCAA, not the NFL. “Tebow likely will have his hands full taking on the bombastic Smith,” per Deadline. “The highly religious 2007 Heisman Trophy winner isn’t known for a mean streak and outrageous comments, something Smith has in abundance.”

In addition to Tebow and Irvin, regular co-hosts of the show alongside Smith will include Paul Finebaum, Keyshawn Johnson, Mina Kimes, Kimberley Martin, Monica McNutt, Jessica Mendoza, Chiney Ogwumike, Dan Orlovsky, Kendrick Perkins, Marcus Spears, Brian Windhorst and Damien Woody.

“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,” said First Take senior coordinating producer Antoine Lewis. “Stephen A., Molly and a lineup of A-list guests will definitely continue to provide fans with all they’ve come to expect from First Take and much more. We’re excited to get going!”

Irvin and Smith will kick off the new format on Labor Day.

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