Sports coverage has undergone a significant shift over the years, often moving away from pure game analysis toward capturing viral moments and sparking heated debates. That reality took center stage this week when a seemingly harmless comment from New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye turned into a national headline involving “ESPN’s First Take.”
Why Did Stephen A. Smith Call Drake Maye a Liar?
The situation started after Maye addressed “outside noise,” specifically referencing comments from former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, who contributes to “First Take.” Stephen A. Smith, the show’s face, took issue with the second-year quarterback’s stance. In response to these comments, Smith labeled Maye a “liar” and passionately defended his program against the quarterback’s comments.
“[Drake Maye] is a liar…First Take is the number one morning show..don’t tell me you a athlete and you don’t know that. Don’t tell me you a athlete and you don’t know that Cam Newton is on this show. You lying.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/kaxxptSMpY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 20, 2025
Smith’s decision to call Maye a liar drew immediate criticism across the sports landscape. Among the most vocal detractors was Mark Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champion, who took to social media to defend the players’ perspective from the media personality’s claims.
The exchange sparked high-energy opinions regarding what athletes actually consume during the week. Schlereth stating, “Haha! You think guy are sitting around the locker room M-F watching @FirstTake that may be the dumbest and most arrogant thing ever said on television.” represents a strong stance. However, it aligns with the idea that players prioritize football preparation over television debates.
Haha! You think guy are sitting around the locker room M-F watching @FirstTake that may be the dumbest and most arrogant thing ever said on television. https://t.co/3nDWqNEKgi
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) November 22, 2025
Smart players typically avoid the potential toxicity of social media and 24-hour news cycles during the season. There is a distinct difference between constructive criticism and the over-the-top takes often found on modern television. For many athletes, ignoring external distractions is crucial for maintaining mental health and focus.
Despite this distraction, Maye is producing an excellent 2025-26 campaign. He currently ranks third in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric.
While his on-field performance should be the story, the young quarterback’s explanation of why he tunes out TV has ironically become the main talking point. There was nothing wrong with what Maye initially said, but the reaction has snowballed into a situation it shouldn’t have.
