Stephen A. Smith wants Michael Irvin back on 'First Take'

Stephen A. Smith is in favor of a reunion with Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin on ESPN‘s “First Take.”

“We know how I feel about The Playmaker, Michael Irvin,” Smith said on a recent episode of his podcast, via Awful Announcing. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with him. I don’t know what his situation is… Haven’t spoken to him in a while.”

“There’s not much on this planet earth I would not do for Michael Irvin. That’s my brother. I love him to death… Think he makes great television… I would never ever, ever sit up there and tell anybody that I want anybody more than I want Michael Irvin. It’s just that things that are going on are out of my control. Whether it’s the NFL, it’s the NFL Network, it’s ESPN, I don’t know! And I don’t have any control over that, that’s beyond my pay grade.”

Irvin, 57, has been off air from both ESPN and the NFL Network since February after an incident involving him and a female Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel employee during Super Bowl LVII week. The female employee accused Irvin of misconduct.

Marriott claims Irvin made “harassing and inappropriate comments,” the first detailed description of what took place. The only known or recorded interaction between Irvin and the woman was a brief exchange that reportedly lasted less than a minute, albeit with no audio.

Stephen A. Smith would welcome Michael Irvin with open arms

The employee said Irvin was “aggressive in nature,” and appeared to be “visibly intoxicated,” per court documents filed by Marriott. She described the conversation as being sexual in nature. Irvin allegedly “reached out and touched the victim’s arm during this conversation without her consent, causing her to step back, becoming visibly uncomfortable.” The Marriott response said that Irvin then asked the employee whether she knew anything about having a “big Black man inside of [her].” Irvin has maintained his innocence and in March, sued Marriott for $100 million.

Smith, meanwhile, has had a rotating panel of co-hosts, including JJ Redick, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Kendrick Perkins among others. Amid Shannon Sharpe’s impending exit from Fox Sports after agreeing to terms on a buyout, Smith said he’d be open to working with him on “First Take” in a part-time role.

“I welcome Shannon Sharpe to First Take. But, it would be in the mix of being a part of the family,” Smith said. “I like the potpourri of contributors… Like the action and the action and the fun on the show. Adding people into the mix is one thing. Changing the complete makeup and formula of the show is entirely different, and that ain’t happening for anyone.”