Aaron Rodgers made waves earlier this week with pointed remarks criticizing ESPN, calling out the network’s reliance on former athletes-turned-analysts who he claims deliver “asinine” takes to remain relevant. In response, two of ESPN’s most prominent voices, Stephen A. Smith and Mina Kimes, addressed Rodgers’ comments on Thursday’s episode of First Take, each offering their perspective on the quarterback’s critique.
Stephen A. Smith: “He Wasn’t Talking About Me”
Smith, who has been a cornerstone of ESPN for over a decade, didn’t take Rodgers’ words personally. In fact, he was confident the Jets quarterback’s comments weren’t aimed at him.
“That wasn’t about me,” Smith said during the segment. “Primarily, his points were directed at former athletes who are now in the media. I knew he wasn’t talking about me when he said this, ‘[ESPN] wasn’t like this back in 2008.’ No, no, I’ve been this way all my life. This ain’t about somebody like me. That man said former players who are trying to keep themselves relevant.”
Smith’s response was both humorous and self-assured, emphasizing that his style and approach to sports commentary have remained consistent throughout his career.
Mina Kimes Calls Out Rodgers’ Hypocrisy
Smith then invited fellow First Take analysts Dan Orlovsky and Mina Kimes to weigh in. Kimes, a longtime ESPN contributor with over a decade at the company, offered a sharp rebuttal to Rodgers’ critique, pointing out the irony in his statements.
“I’m not offended by it at all,” Kimes said. “But it’s a little ironic, isn’t it? He’s espousing that opinion on a personality-driven program that employs him as a personality during the NFL season.”
Kimes’ comments alluded to Rodgers’ own participation in ESPN’s ecosystem through his regular appearances on The Pat McAfee Show, now part of ESPN’s lineup following McAfee’s high-profile move to the network.
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Rodgers’ Critique and the McAfee Connection
Rodgers’ initial comments targeted “experts” at ESPN, many of whom are former players, claiming they rely on “asinine” takes to maintain their relevance. However, Kimes astutely noted that Rodgers’ close friend and longtime collaborator, Pat McAfee, embodies much of what the quarterback criticized.
McAfee joined ESPN in a blockbuster five-year, $85 million deal earlier this year, bringing his rambunctious and personality-driven talk show to the network. The move coincided with significant layoffs of experienced ESPN analysts, making McAfee arguably one of the most prominent “personality hires” in recent history.
Kimes subtly implied that if Rodgers were consistent in his critique, he would need to acknowledge McAfee’s role in ESPN’s evolution toward personality-centric programming.
Rodgers Sparks a Broader Conversation
Rodgers’ remarks about ESPN sparked a broader conversation about the role of former athletes in sports media.
While Smith and Kimes addressed the quarterback’s comments with measured responses, the debate underscores the changing dynamics in sports broadcasting. Networks like ESPN have increasingly leaned into personality-driven content, blending analysis with entertainment to engage modern audiences.
A Developing Narrative
As Rodgers continues to navigate his role as both a player and media personality, his critiques of the industry are likely to draw mixed reactions. For now, the quarterback’s pointed comments have offered fodder for discussion among ESPN’s top voices, while also highlighting the network’s evolving approach to sports commentary.
With both Smith and Kimes firing back, Rodgers’ comments have become another chapter in the ongoing dialogue about sports media and the intersection of athlete-turned-analyst perspectives.
Whether the quarterback chooses to engage further remains to be seen, but his remarks have certainly sparked a lively debate.
