Shannon Sharpe fires back at Kirk Herbstreit after shaded First Take comments

The Ohio State Buckeyes looked to be a surefire national championship contender in the first round of the College Football Playoff, defeating the Tennessee Volunteers, 42-17. During the matchup, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler were in the booth covering the game. As Ohio State was closing in on the victory in the fourth quarter, Herbstreit threw shade at ESPN’s “First Take” with Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith, mentioning the show attempted to get Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day fired. “First Take tried to fire him [Ryan Day],” Herbstreit said. Let’s see what they talk about on Monday. They had him out. They’re trying to find replacements, but here he is.” On Monday’s “First Take” show, Sharpe clapped back at Herbstreit. He explained that the two should not be butting heads since they work for the same network, but if Herbstreit attempts to call them out again, Sharpe won’t keep quiet. “If we’re going to be on the same team, if we’re gonna work for the same network, don’t do that. Kirk, Chris Fowler, I promise you, if you ever mention any platform that I’m on again talking about ‘I wonder what they’re going to say as negativity,’ I promise you, ESPN ain’t got enough bosses to keep me off y’all for what I’m going to say… don’t play with me”

Following a Week 14 loss to the Michigan Wolverines, the media had a field day with the Buckeyes, with many calling for Ryan Day to be fired.

Ahead of the College Football Playoff, Day boasted a 66-10 record as the full-time head coach of the Buckeyes, since taking over in 2019. Despite that success, Day has a 1-4 record against Ohio State’s arch rival, the Wolverines. While many believe Day’s record against Michigan should put him on the hot seat and potentially have him fired from the Ohio State football program, Herbstreit has made it clear that he disagrees. “I can’t speak on behalf of the lunatic fringe,” Herbstreit said while covering the Ohio State versus Tennessee game. “I’m not sure how they operate. The lunatic fringe at Ohio State is as powerful as anywhere in the country.” Herbstreit may carry some bias, serving as the Buckeyes’ quarterback from 1989 to 1993, but he’s made his opinion on the subject very clear.