On Friday, former NFL quarterback Cam Newton made a splash in his debut appearance on ESPN’s First Take, wasting no time in bringing his signature energy and humor to the set. Right out of the gate, Newton took aim at his new co-host, NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, with a jab that left the entire panel in stitches.
The lighthearted exchange began during a discussion about the top five essentials for a university’s homecoming game. Stephen A. Smith, known for his straightforward takes, rattled off a typical list including a marching band and school spirit. But Newton, ever the showman, took a different approach.
“It’s the party, Stephen A. We ain’t worried about class, we ain’t worried about food,” Newton said, leaning into the festive nature of college homecomings.
Sharpe, always quick with a response, chimed in by saying, “I’m worried about something else,” teasing that there might be other, unmentionable priorities on his mind. This opened the door for Newton to take a playful shot at Sharpe’s infamous past incident, referencing a viral Instagram moment that had been widely discussed.
Newton, seizing the opportunity, delivered the punchline with perfect timing: “Watch out, Michelle,” he quipped, sending the set into chaos. The name “Michelle” was a direct nod to Sharpe’s controversial Instagram video, in which he accidentally uttered the name during a private moment, leading to widespread internet memes and jokes.
The joke hit its mark immediately. Sharpe, caught off guard, burst into laughter and bolted off-screen, trying to escape the playful roasting. Stephen A. Smith, trying to maintain order, couldn’t help but laugh along as he jokingly yelled, “We gotta go to commercial! We gotta go to commercial!”
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Newton, watching his co-hosts scatter in laughter, grinned, clearly pleased with how he had made his mark on his very first day on the show. The playful exchange showcased Newton’s knack for humor, but it also reminded viewers of Sharpe’s ability to roll with the punches, even when the joke’s on him.
In just a few minutes, Newton established himself as a lively new presence on First Take, making it clear that his personality and wit will be a big part of the show’s dynamic moving forward.
If his debut is any indication, viewers can expect plenty more entertaining banter and unpredictable moments between him and his co-hosts.
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