Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith are currently revisiting the history of their time on First Take, and their relationship is evolving in real-time. Their most recent disagreement centers around the hazy period in 2013 when the show faced “probation” from ESPN.
Smith believes that part of the reason they faced scrutiny from their superiors was due to Bayless’ relentless focus on quarterback Tim Tebow. Predictably, Bayless vehemently disagrees.
“On the latest episode of The Skip Bayless Show, I want to make it clear that there was no gimmickry involved in all those shows we dedicated to Tim Tebow,” Bayless asserted.
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Bayless also took exception to Smith characterizing his admiration for Tebow as a “caricature.”
“Come on, Stephen A. Did you happen to come across a mere three Twitter users calling me a caricature?” Bayless fired back.
The seasoned 71-year-old sports TV personality didn’t hold back in pointing out Smith’s own on-air antics. Bayless emphasized that despite his extensive coverage of Tebow, whom he reveres as a “phenomenon,” he has never donned a Denver Broncos jersey on-air or arrived at the studio atop an actual bronco.
However, as recently as 2021, when Tebow was part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ training camp as a tight end, Bayless continued to tweet frequently about his cherished subject.
The ongoing feud between Smith and Bayless appears to be orchestrated for content, but Bayless seems genuinely incapable of acknowledging reality. His infatuation with Tebow, much like his disdain for LeBron James, played a significant role in boosting Bayless’ career.
Perhaps Bayless believes that it would be more beneficial for his reputation if he genuinely dedicated hours over the years to supporting a quarterback whose peak performance was in 2009.
It’s possible that Bayless wants to retroactively lay claim to his own success and demonstrate that it was solely his talent that drove high ratings all along. However, this assertion doesn’t align with the facts. Bayless recently returned from a hiatus at Fox due to lagging ratings for Undisputed, and the show struggled to find a new cohost following Shannon Sharpe’s departure.
It’s clear that topics like LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have quickly returned to the show’s agenda, but who knows, perhaps Tim Tebow will be back on the discussion list next week.
