Stephen A. Smith denies there’s a rift between him and his ESPN colleague Pat McAfee amid reports he banned the former punter from First Take following ‘explosive argument’

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has denied that there is any animosity between him and his colleague Pat McAfee.

Reports from New York Post indicated the pair had an explosive phone call a few weeks ago – with McAfee calling his colleague a ‘mommy’ and Smith banning the former player from ‘First Take’.

On his podcast, The Stephen. A Smith Show, host responded to story – denied rift; but not expressly denying that the phone call took place.

‘There is no disagreement at all. Pat McAfee is my teammate. Pat McAfee and I work together at ESPN. There is no banishment from ‘First Take’ or any other show,’ Smith said.

‘He is more than welcome to come on ‘First Take’ in the future and I will be more than welcome to come on his show.

McAfee allegedly called Smith a ‘grandma’ in an explosive phone call

‘I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to say this, but I’m going to try it one more time and not just rely on a statement or a quote that I put out through ESPN.

‘But I’m going to look into the cameras and say this to you, nationally and globally: I care about my teammates. I support my colleagues. I’m not rooting for anyone. The people out there who do that are idiots. A rising tide lifts all boats.’

Smith then went on to thank McAfee and other sports personalities who have found success with their own digital platforms such as Dan Le Batard, Shannon Sharpe, Bill Simmons and Ryan Clark. He pointed to them for inspiration to start his own platform and will help him make money as his deal with ESPN is about to expire.

“Business evolves and individuals who are employees who had nothing to rely on other than their on-air talent have turned into actual businessmen,” Smith said.

‘It’s not something to hate. That’s something to be thankful for.’

Smith never specifically denied that there had been a heated phone call, but he reiterated that there is no ‘enmity’ with McAfee.

This isn’t the first time McAfee has apparently fallen out with someone at ESPN since the player joined the company last summer.

McAfee accused ESPN executive Norby Williamson (left) of trying to sabotage his show

McAfee singled out the experienced executive (pictured) and accused him of leaking information

McAfee has endured a turbulent start to his tenure with the network, even accusing ESPN executive Norby Williamson of trying to sabotage his show in January.

After the New York Jets’ quarterback, Aaron Rodgers appeared to suggest Jimmy Kimmel would be named as one of the Jeffrey Epstein‘s staff during one of his weekly Tuesday appearances in January, McAfee ripped Williamson for allegedly trying to ruin his show.

“Now there are some people who are actively trying to sabotage us from within ESPN,” he said. “More specifically, I think Norby Williamson is the guy trying to sabotage our program.”

ESPN was quick to dismiss McAfee’s claim that Williamson is deliberately trying to sabotage his show, insisting that ‘no one is more committed to and invested in the success of ESPN’ than its executive senior vice president.

Yet McAfee took aim at Williamson again last week, claiming the CEO could not be considered his ‘boss’.

The player-turned-television personality did not name Williamson specifically, but considered his earlier remarks “just a warning shot that I thought someone who was on the same (level).”

“I report directly to (ESPN president) Jimmy (Pitaro) and (Disney CEO) Bob (Iger),” McAfee said.

‘I saw (media reporting) “Pat yelling at his boss.” I don’t have a nasty boss. What are we…? Are we talking Jimmy Pitaro or Bob Iger?

‘So, is this who we’re talking about? Because these are people who could technically be described as my boss.’