🚨 A SPECIAL DAY! 🚨 Mike & The Mad Dog REUNION 🙏 | First Take

Enjoy the finest moments of Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo (formally Mike & The Mad Dog) from First Take.
0:00 Introductions to First Take
0:30 Adam Schefter waxes lyrical about the “founding fathers”
2:00 Tom Brady retiring and immediate reactions
5:00 Francesa’s thoughts on Tom Brady’s legacy
11:00 Reminiscing on Mike & The Mad Dog favorite memories
14:00 LeBron James talk
16:00 Francesa’s hot take on Brady’s analyst career
17:00 Tributes to the squad
19:00 Behind-the-scenes of fallouts and getting back together #ESPN #FirstTake #NFL #StephenA #MadDog #MikeAndTheMadDog
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[@iandhr1]

Stephen A is like a little kid in a candy store. You can see how happy he is to have the two of them together.

[@johnjackson6904]

i would be too.

[@jordinho4ever]

two legendary radio sport talkers, pioneers

[@MrAitraining]

These guys got me thru a lot of days in traffic in NY back then.

[@TheRomeerome]

Absolutely, and they did it without the internet.

[@rankobarensic]

New York accent luv it

[@22metzfan]

Some of my favorite memories.

[@MY-rl8hu]

The two people who started sports talk genre. Legends....

[@TOCC50]

Obese Francesa

[@sweetrobertos]

On the East Coast maybe. We had sports talk shows before 1989 in SoCal.

[@jasonbari5997]

@@sweetrobertos yeah but Mike and mad dog where nationally syndicated

[@MrBronx61]

@@jasonbari5997 💯💯They took it to another level.

[@Queue26]

Great job by Steven A getting them back together for a show. Would love to see it happen again someday.

[@Youve_GotABeard]

NY/NJ/CT tristate guy, can’t imagine my life since I was kid without Mike and the mad dog: they are part of the soundtrack of my life. Legends 🙏🏼

[@car34bx]

Mike seems a lot happier than I remember as a kid. He was surly 😂

[@smoothpants]

Because he doesn't have to take phone calls from dummies. LOL

[@andrewbristow2817]

I respect SAS a lot for always giving flowers to those who paved the way.

[@brandonlewis5135]

Chris helped him after sas radio show failed and gave him opportunity on his radio station

[@RuffRyder_43]

Mike and the Mad Dog = The greatest sports talk radio duo of all time!!!

[@TOCC50]

Brady will be back

[@toddnelson7711]

I listened to those guys for a long time!

[@jimwerther]

They were guys lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Many others could have done the same given the opportunity.

[@beholden2874]

This was a treat. Thank you ESPN. Mike and the Mad Dog were exceptional talking about National Sports as well as local NY. I wish they were on every Wednesday.

[@dreambrother80]

Legendary. I use to listen to Mike & The Mad Dog everyday for years as a youth. Their sports knowledge combined is unreal. So great seeing them back together one more time. 🙏🏽

[@david36498]

Me too, while making deliveries in Queens, NYC baby

[@champpoo97]

Did you say that when they got into there beef exactly and there not legendary your opinion is irrelevant

[@manofaith75]

It's funny; I remember years ago in an episode of Mike and the Mad Dog, Mike said he did not know Stephen A Smith and that the few times he saw him on tv, he thought he was a loudmouth. Now he wants to make it seem like they've been friends for years. Miss me with that.

[@david36498]

@@manofaith75 he was a loudmouth, WAS, people evolve

[@craiggaudreau805]

I spent half my life, stuck on the Major Deegan, trying to get back to Jersey. Thank god for Mike and the Mad Dog!

[@GoldenFava]

Listened to Mike & the Mad Dog everyday growing up in NY. They are legends. Great to see them together again!

[@bornasiroki3976]

This guys teeth whiter than Nick Bosa's ideal world

[@gregorydunston2952]

What a bar lmfao

[@vinceedwards3978]

Veeners are great!

[@markymark512]

Now I need that Mike and Mike reunion someday down the line.

[@alanfortune3092]

Now that's what I'm talking about! I loved Mike and Mike! Good Call!

[@sakthithanigai5036]

Just add them to first take. Make it Mike, SAS and Mad Dog that would be goated

[@Jalen.3]

@@sakthithanigai5036no Molly either

[@xtrememarioplush793]

Next year is their 35th anniversary since their first show on wfan. Maybe they do one to commemorate that, I would love them to do another like they did at Radio City a few years back.

[@mikes4991]

I doubt they’ll ever do anything permanent again, but they get a lot of attention nowadays when they reunite for a show every now and then. They may just keep doing this

[@alinaeem27]

This needs to happen again. Mike and that Mad Dog are legends

[@TOCC50]

Is Elway better than Marino

[@jimwerther]

They were guys lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Many others could have done the same given the opportunity.

[@GabGotti3]

The legends. Without them there wouldn’t be shows like this.

[@jimwerther]

They were guys lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Many others could have done the same given the opportunity.

[@michaelhogg324]

I have to say that it was like me being all GIDDY on Christmas day waiting to open presents when Mike and Chris were there last week as it was AWESOME to see them again and I hope that it happens more often!

[@Ray1969.]

If you aren’t from NY and didn’t get the chance to listen to Mike and The Mad Dog you missed the greatest sports talk radio of all time. Just amazing sports talk radio!!!!

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

I couldn't agree more!!

[@josepha3116]

Add Joe Benigno and Steve Sommers

[@Ray1969.]

@@josepha3116 I would definitely add Sommers with me here and you there! Benigno was never really my cup of tea

[@reefb4364]

Joe Beningo’s Jets rants are epic🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️✅✅✅

[@MrBronx61]

@@reefb4364 Especially the "Doug Brien" playoff game vs Pittsburgh. Joe B at his best.

[@worldwidephax6864]

This is really epic , I grew up in Jersey and Mike & The Mad Dog is legendary, I hope they tie a session often I see the joy in Stephen A. Eyes

[@Kevon420]

All time great episode of First Take! Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

[@saldoug7467]

Yes. Lets do it again.

[@oceanview777]

I love mad Dog and Mike so much! Stephen A. Is brilliant to bring both of them on his show. Mike is so interesting .with his takes, hope you will have them on again!

[@danielwest9955]

Stephen A, Mike, and the Mad Dog discussing Brady's retirement. An A.I. algorithm couldn't have compiled a more absurd gathering of all-time talent to discuss a huge sports topic.

[@matthewjosephthecommonsens2940]

can this be the new first take everyday? So happy to see Mike and Dog

[@sesanwatson6301]

Mad dog has the greatest rants in sports radio history

[@BroadswordNYC]

I'll never forget, in 1994, when OJ Simpson failed to turn himself in to the LA police , the words of Chris Russo loudly on my Walkman headset- 'OH MY GOD, THE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR OJ SIMPSON!!!- It gave me chills!

[@jusstnc1759]

Mike is a legend. He is absolutely missed on WFAN

[@mrgray001]

Growing up in northern NJ I’ve listened to these guys each day without fail. This was totally epic!

[@Pnanasnoic]

Mike is the king. So good to hear him. If he came back I would listen.

[@bella100107]

Mike is the king!

[@jonm7888]

I thought he was the Pope.

[@jimwerther]

He's on YT on BRN twice a week

[@anthonys.8569]

This was awesome to see them back together! Would listen to these two on YES back in my childhood

[@MajinMarcus_]

Mike’s veneers are sending me 😭😭😭

[@devinand1fosho]

Yea they hard to ignore😂😂

[@skhetan1]

Exactly I was like mike looks squirrels wassup hah

[@xeres14]

I think the best compliment you can give something you've been looking forward to is that it lived up to the lofty expectations you had for it. Today's show easily did that. Everyone was spot on: Mike, Mike, Molly and Stephen A. Bravo!

[@danieldiggs9574]

This first take was so good I'm rewatching it again today on lunch break over the actual Thursday first take. Please get these 3 together every week.

[@adamzaki6232]

Mike still has the best teeth in all of entertainment

[@BestofWhatsAround83]

Could see teeth from the space station.

[@blkmind4u]

Bright light

[@cevinfelix3026]

You have Mike and the Mad Dog on 1st take. Wow!!!. Thanks for bringing them on.

[@TheGIJoe69]

Loving these long videos

[@tony84.]

0:32, This is gold! and true💯Mike and the Mad Dog started it all with sports talk. And Stephen A. is the greatest TV sports debate show host of all time.💯Shout out to Molly too for keeping order on the show as the moderator.💯Great opening by Stephen A. too.

[@bgmck349]

Legendy ....ive been listing the Mike and mad in the 6th grade....im almost 40 now....but another thing to realize, is Stephen A is in their class....he himself has become a legend.

[@Carlos-Lopez84]

One of the real reasons why I listen to sports talk radio. Mike and Chris are legends.

[@jimwerther]

They were guys lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Many others could have done the same given the opportunity.

[@verified.my2cents]

Mike speaking with fairness and honesty - nothing but respect for that, Great to see these guys together again, well done.

[@david.draper]

An absolute pleasure to watch 🙏🏻

[@josephdougherty3653]

This is jerome from manhattan and next up is doris from rego park

[@BaahBen]

I am so happy I grew up listening to these two guys for every single year they were on the radio. I rarely missed a broadcast.

[@TV-xd1ze]

Iconic and the day Brady Retired no less😂😂😂

[@TheBoyyWonder100]

That dude spoke nothing but facts!

[@darrensmith1370]

Mike speaks Facts!

[@feddi7693]

Mike and the mad dog!! Legends💯

[@rogue7894]

Fondest memories as a young man in the early 90s listening in between tours working security in Fort Lee on the weekends in a virtually empty office complex. Cant forget Steve Somers during graveyard shift

[@krlm2280]

The founding fathers of sports debate mike and the mad dog great memories as a kid teen and adult listening to these guys

[@christiansoldier77]

Mike and the Mad Dog !!!! You cant get better than this

[@paulhutchinson100]

So cool to see those two back on TV together! I used to watch their show on the YES network and it was the best sport talk show I've ever seen. Would love to see more of them together!

[@manofaith75]

It's funny; I remember years ago in an episode of Mike and the Mad Dog, Mike said he did not know Stephen A Smith and that the few times he saw him on tv, he thought he was a loudmouth. Now he wants to make it seem like they've been friends for years. Miss me with that.

[@MortonT1958]

That was a long, long time ago when Stephen A. was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

[@SuperMutant2099]

Grew up listening to these two every day coming home from school

[@willh69]

This was such a great segment - I didn't know Mad Dog was such a central figure in sports and now I know why he's across the table from Stephen A

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Loved these two guys. And yeah, they went at it a lot. But they also joked around with each other a lot.

[@tonys1025]

The best!!

[@easeow]

That was truly something special !!!

[@MrCury65]

This is great

[@TravieeGrant]

BRING MIKE BACK HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT

[@100spurs]

New York in the house!!

[@willd4731]

My three favorite people in the sports broadcasting world. Someone, please get these three guys together for a daily roundtable show!!! Mike is like Brady, he just can't retire. He's done it twice but keeps coming back. A show between these three would be epic.

[@rubinbarber6781]

two icons from the worldwide leader .tremendous

[@mikejejenich7116]

I used to call out sick to work. Just to listen to these guys. 🎤. True story 🤣

[@HarrisonHollers]

Daredevil!

[@PGO_Gaming]

Me too. My brother and I used to miss school a day or two just to listen to the WFAN all day. Imus in the Morning, Jody Mac and Sid in the midday, Mike and the Mad Dog in the afternoon and Steve Somers at night.

[@go2damoon555]

Hey it’s the guy from uncut gems

[@ldukes4892]

Mike know what he's talking about

[@currywurstislife4916]

The absolute GOATs.

[@roderickwilson2819]

Them two are great

[@robertgraziano7898]

Outstanding!

[@roeebostic8828]

....after work ...they had me laughing...

[@michaelcedeno391]

Much respect.

[@oceanview777]

Please have hem on again! Smart SA and Molly for bringing them together again. Love seeing SA with them.

[@Ozmodiar6]

Mike, Dog, and Stephen A. talking Brady and LeBron… greatness on greatness.

[@kriskimbro1264]

I wish Mike and dog could get back together even once a week that was must listen radio

[@Jonwood74]

Everyone in sports media need to bow down to these two legends. Their careers defined sports radio. Mike's podcast represents the best that sports analysis has to offer today, regardless of medium.

[@feedthefatrabbit1073]

Mike and the Mad Dog. Absolutely legendary 🙌 NY Sports Talk Royalty

[@brandongwin5895]

This is great!! The Godfathers of sports talk

[@scotmoser8716]

It was an excellent First Take. Very intelligent Sports Talk!

[@Warrentertainment]

WFAN is punching the air in double time right now!!!!

[@ShokusApolloTV]

great moment

[@johnvissichelli9786]

That was great, do it again

[@discoinferno9741]

Props to Mike for staying awake the whole time...

[@lucmcdowell1167]

Skip Bayless could never get these guys on his show, shows how much people respect Stephen A

[@isaacsantana6560]

That dope

[@robertstv8045]

Amazing that the day the Dog and Mike show up a ESPN its the day of Brady's retirement. Amazing timing. Lotta fun.

[@eddiepearson3600]

Legendary!

[@MrMuchachos75]

Loved mike and doggie. Nuff said

[@philthompson7318]

Thank God for Mike Francesa my opinion exactly Peyton was the best regular season quarterback and Joe Montana was the best Super Bowl quarterback

[@blkmind4u]

Mike with the bright white teeth tho. ..😁🤣😂

[@Lovlee33161]

If you aren’t a NYC native :YOU SIMPLY DONT GET IT!!!!

[@StrictlyG4ten]

Mike came to steal the show.... He preaching

[@alansmith7121]

Mike is a Legend and should be the Voice of the Yankees

[@joes3844]

Mike has a great head of hair for his age

[@GenF91]

How cool!

[@fishoutofwaterseries1424]

I like Mike keeping it real

[@thelawofdivineoneness458]

One thing you can always say about SAS is that he knows how to get the ratings. Having Mad Dog on with him once a week is must see TV but to have Mike on as well is a stroke of genius. Whether you love them or hate them...most of us listened to Mike and the Mad Dog. As Greeny said Mike and Chris are the Godfathers of Sports Talk along with the other pioneer of the format....the late great Art Rust Jr.

[@yardbird545]

Your mention of Art Rust is spot on, he was the first I remember doing it. If I remember correctly, some sort of scandal took Art down. That being said, Mike and Doggie were the best. Used to listen to Dog weekends on WMCA, prior to his teaming up w/ Mike.

[@thelawofdivineoneness458]

@@yardbird545 There was no scandal with Art Rust Jr. that I knew of. The only thing that eventually took down Mr. Rust Jr. was Father Time.

[@ianberry4679]

Stephen A, Mad Dog and Mike is a goat lineup could watch this everyday

[@brianconnelly1238]

This was actually pretty cool, a lot of us grew up on Mike and the Mad Dog... "Good afternoon everybody... HOW ARE YOU TODAYYY?"

[@solidasarock9337]

Thank you Stephen A. That was very good

[@xacex6944]

I could be really wrong but I agree with Francesa on Brady being an analyst. I’ve always pictured him having an executive role on a team rather than being on television

[@bogoy210]

In my life time I was lucky enough to watch this Royalty together,!!!..

[@benedettomansueto4016]

Love Mike Francesa and Chris Russo always listened to them on WFAN 660 AM Radio New York

[@NotNotKenny]

I grew up in Philly and all my teams are Philly,but Mike and the Mad Dog was my favorite show to listen to.May be the reason i don't completely hate ny teams like i should.Ok maybe the Yankees because they have a lot of fans who have no connection to the ny tri-state area.