Stephen A Smith On Competing With Pat McAfee + Staying On Top At ESPN

Recorded: February 9th 2024 | In this weeks episode, we got both Will and Taylor back for the intro. They start off recapping some of this past weeks latest news including Dana White walking off the Howie Mandel podcast and The Rock being all the way back in the WWE. Taylor's addiction ended up landing us a new sponsorship and we hit everyone's favorite segment, shout out no free shoutout. Following the intro, the boys were able to sit down with leader at ESPN, the one that put the entire network on his back, Stephen A Smith. Stephen chops it up with the boys and gets into his start of broadcasting as well as how he feels comfortable critiquing professional players. He also gets into some of the relationships he has with athletes and some difficulties that has brought up in the past. Finally Stephen A gets into how he knows he will remain number one even with ESPn bringing The Pat McAfee show. There is some really good conversation and insight into what the life of Stephen A Smith looks like, enjoy fellas,
TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
4:00 Dana White Is Done With Podcasts
7:06 The Rock Is All The Way Back
13:52 Taylor's Grocery Store Adventure's
16:26 Taylor’s Addiction Got Us A Sponsorship
24:12 Shoutout Hugs
38:22 Taylor's Redemption
47:39 The Dynasty
56:12 Football Is Over, Now What
1:04:55 Time For New Shows
1:08:44 1 year or Every Weekend And The Boys Get Deep
1:17:35 Stephen A Preview
1:29:39 STEPHEN A INTERVIEW STARTS
1:22:00 How Does He Keep The same Energy With Everything He Does
1:23:30 Judging People Even Though He's Never Been There
1:26:01 Critiquing Your Friends
1:30:13 You'll Never Be Blindsided By Stephen A
1:31:32 Relationship With Allen Iverson
1:36:44 Balancing Relationships With His Takes
1:38:26 A Beat Writer Know Everything About Everyone
1:42:50 Learning What Line's Not T Cross
1:48:55 His First Big Break
1:53:35 What's The "Top" For Him
1:57:55 Stephen A vs. Pat McAfee
Theme Song: Some Of Adams Blues by Quaker City Night Hawks
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Get on the bus with NFL players Will Compton & Taylor Lewan! The Boys are letting you in on their hilarious, high-energy (and often heartfelt) conversations. Topics range from exclusive stories to active player perspectives to out-of-left-field hot takes on things you and your friends only discuss behind closed doors. Sometimes they chat with a guest, sometimes it's just the two of them, but it's always a good time when you're Bussin' With The Boys.
And yes, this is the podcast where Mike Vrabel said he'd cut his piece off for a Super Bowl.
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#espn #stephenasmith #BarstoolSports

[@luissalinas120]

The Boys!!! Bring the old intro back 😢

[@brockmartin3016]

Insane they switched it My favourite intro in all podcasts

[@tylerdevos1558]

Bring back the old intro

[@JayWallEnt]

Or else

[@Bigpapas3]

I think this one is so toughh!

[@joeyhaase5629]

I fuck with the new one

[@brockmartin3016]

My favourite part of the pod was the old intro

[@joewatkins5762]

Old intro is goat

[@sHowerdPerm]

GET UNCLE CHAEL ON THE PODCAST YESTERDAY

[@Tsj123]

SAS almost made it through a conversation without pulling the race card… almost

[@Kobbylow50]

Good work Mitch! Loved the answers to the questions and appreciate the shoutout.

[@Berdow]

i miss the old intro 🥲

[@holdenkettenring]

Stephen A really talked for 45 mins straight Legend

[@frankauer99]

Said everything and nothing at the same time lmak

[@chloethacker]

He’s the biggest psy on the planet. Someone should tell him he only has a job bc he’s black.

[@MidwestTrigga]

He sucks because hes black. Just say it

[@charliec2966]

STEPHEN A. SHARPTON SAID HE IS " POLISHED POLITICALLY" THAT MUST BE A JOKE..LOLOL

[@coachwebb9903]

Ernest gave The Boys an absolute gem and we switch up on the intro??? Rating it a .5

[@KateHarley-ej3uw]

The boy Taylor, with the pants, tucked into the socks 😂

[@mauriciohernandez1941]

😂😂😂😂

[@19IvanCoronado]

What’s up boys!!!! Man this is the first time I’ve ever been able to watch live.

[@Gotien718]

Rome, Band of brothers, GoT, Red Queen, Davinci, Medici's, Sparticus just off the top of my head but those kind of series are the shit

[@chaos00174]

new intro has NO HEART! bring back the soul warming intro of old

[@greg1685]

Always here for house keeping, but gonna be a banger interview.

[@Supersmashmike101]

1:46:06 😂😂😂😂that John wall story has me geeking Stephen too funny

[@crutopiarecords4874]

Stephen A knows Pat is gonna be number 1 very soon here.

[@Ghypzy]

Hm, I love pat but I’m not sure tbh, especially with when the show is on the air, more people are bound to watch in the morning when they’re drinking coffee getting ready for work then in the afternoon when they’re probably busy.

[@joerodriguez24]

I just pounded my chest while driving when Mitch said NASCAR. Especially after the 500 yesterday!

[@6thRanger]

Always for the boys ain’t no skipping the intro. Go Ravens!

[@jacksondavis00]

Dude we gotta get the old intro back Love the new guy but Haaanging with the fellas is what I live for these days not gonna lie

[@Rich_LMN]

I wish they could've filmed this intro after Michael Chandler's appearance and promo on Monday Night Raw

[@calebhayes100]

All time pod boys. Taylor has really hit his stride. Not playing ball anymore, you can just see the weight lifted from him

[@mutsa8]

That was fucking electric boys. Will deffo needs to watch Entourage. "WE WANT THE OLD INTRO BACK!"

[@pauljharris]

"Rome" is an amazing series!

[@geraldgomez3333]

Love this pod, but yall gotta keep the old intro!

[@rigogonzalez2941]

March Madness with the Boyz LETs Goo

[@erjc8384]

13:12 LMAO freeze frame

[@bigstevie1690]

Rome is a Great show Will, You will love it

[@theodorebrittan7111]

TV show suggestion: Seal Team! It is all about being there for the boys! Also Spartacus.

[@mattbusch6686]

This is why podcasts are so successful we’d NEVER SEE this side of him on any other platform.

[@christianhansen3009]

There are just people you wish the best for. And that is you guys. Classy but humble.

[@JCStraulin]

Tuesdays = Best Days

[@stefanomurro]

Movie recommendation (take from rogan): Sisu, ww2 era, the boys would love it

[@LABSk8Boards]

Idk bout anyone else but def feel like the old intro song fit better

[@aaronthiele2581]

Man I hope the boys get really into March Madness. Will is going to fall in love with Nebraska’s Kesei Tominaga in the tournament.

[@ceciliawalters8708]

Thank you.

[@brooksorlando4510]

How does he have the time to do all of this? I see him on ESPN everyday, he has his own pod, appearances on other shows. He must have a clone lol

[@TeaZeCinema]

You guys are too good of salesman, I never once done nicotine and here I am ready to try Lucy’s

[@michaelbettisworth8938]

Here for the vibes

[@Dr.Unsteady]

It always amazes me how intelligent and well thought, and calculated Stephen A comes off when he’s on other peoples show vs when he’s on his own show

[@mcblaze5888]

This is becoming my favorite show /duo in barstool

[@jonathanhuaracha9714]

What an episode - SA is goated 🐐 2:02:57

[@calebingram44]

For the boys! 🐺

[@keithymg]

SAS is one that he's been around so much ain't no real new questions. But I still enjoy listening to him.

[@Seannybrof88]

Stephen A. Has been the realest since day one. One of the only reasons I still watch ESPN. Him and Stuart Scott (RIP the GOAT) and a few others are the only reason that network still exists. Cheers to the real ones.

[@alexandermontagnet3361]

Stephen A. Smith is f-ing great. Love that killer, yet respectful mentality! That's pure business skills. LEGEND.

[@gahhhhhhh148]

loved the advertisements every 5 minutes during the stephen a interview

[@810jay3]

Need that old intro I literally sing it all the time even when I’m not watchin bussin

[@joshespiritu7698]

Has Designated Survivor on Netflix been watched? That show is pretty epic

[@DmaxxZ]

Beautiful things is a banger!!

[@mattbusch6686]

Well done boys.. I have a new perspective on Stephen A now..

[@jonathonbecker2030]

Great job in Superbowl interviews! Players respect you. Love it

[@dexterhampton704]

Great ep but old intro gang checking in

[@PaulSanz63]

Jackie Boy, next time you come to Tahoe let the boy know and ill send you some dope places

[@DennisFeinsteinCEO]

Check out Uncle Chael's thoughts on HOOBerman 😅

[@j.mig22]

Herd of GOATs. Let's go boys

[@mattbusch6686]

Up to 45k atta boys

[@justaTADbadass]

Bring back the intro boys. Congrats on the DK spons!

[@AirRaid1196]

Damn. That interview was too short lol

[@jasonalan45]

Old intro so much better jus sayn also Will u have to watch Vikings, best show of all time! I’m jealous that u haven’t seen it yet!

[@jacksonkmieciak9794]

Overriding the entourage suggested, If anyone would dig Vikings it’s Compton. 10/10 show. Skol

[@huntercarrigan1854]

I left WWE A long time ago and it pulled me back in this past year and I promise boys if you go into it knowing that they’re all boys grabbing beers after the show and knowing it’s just a brother hood with good story telling just like any reality show it will make your football offseason go so much quicker

[@rowdyfrederick3646]

Ernest intro needs to come back asap

[@sldsnak4]

He’s in for a treat with Rome!

[@mattbusch6686]

Keep getting those connections.. COMICS, comics, comics.. it’s a cheat code

[@theroomph7989]

awesome stuff, pls interview andrew and chael pls

[@mauriciohernandez1941]

Why yall change the intro? Didn't even say anything about it an I agree it needs to go back to the original with the Boy singing it

[@nicholasgriffith7942]

The boys!

[@Orinveidt]

Shout out the boys

[@traviswallace2248]

March 30 ufl kick off !! Football ain’t over boys!!!

[@theanellsores5231]

Will still looks so uncomfortable with that in his lip 😂 looks like he needs a spitter but got caught in a conversation. We’ve all been there

[@AnotherBadChannel]

Shoutout no free shoutouts Arizona Snownbwl Flagstaff AZ

[@3LREY35]

Hanginggg with da fellas😢

[@milesjudson4804]

Man Will seems like such a good family man. Shows up for work has a little fun, but ultimately gets the hell outta dodge. Idk when Taylor speaks about his wife and kids just seems like he has better things to do. Ever since he’s gotten in with Dana he’s started to become more full of himself. Just my opinion.

[@Goooooooooooooooooose]

Old intro so much better

[@user-nm7fx6bt4j]

He is like spider from game of thrones. Heard his birdies whispefs

[@RYANSMITH-rs1fk]

Mitch doesn’t cook grilled cheese in the middle of night?👀

[@ericicopini4955]

The Boys!!!!

[@codylachance5622]

“Generation Kill” will you need to watch

[@sidjt]

Used to turn the podcast on first thing in the morning just to hear the old intro…

[@mattblair4403]

Yo what happened to Jacks voice 😅😂

[@jonah2486]

Stephen A Smith has the worst takes in sports. The man is washed. That said the pod rules! Keep it up boys!

[@JasonTerry9294]

In the vein of Epic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Movies like “Gladiator”, “Troy”, & “Braveheart” - the greatest movie ever made is “Kingdom of Heaven” … full stop 🛑! Honorable mentions for combat movies would include “The Patriot”, “We Were Soldiers”, & “Act of Valor” !!! 🇺🇸😎🇺🇸

[@evanhilla7492]

Are youtube ads technically free shoutouts? HBO Max is raking if so....

[@nlandoutfitters]

Who killed the light? Get the waiver going!

[@TurboTimTravels]

Taylor definitely got 12” while at ichigan

[@livinginthesip8511]

Should definitely watch Vikings

[@jnewb]

Vikings was like The Last Kingdom except without some of the cheesy “hero” scenes where the Uhtred or someone else definitely shouldn’t have survived 😂. Great show and story but much more serious and historically accurate

[@NathanBrewerYWFMS]

New intro is a banger

[@Ablythe641]

Rocky maivia was The Rock lol

[@aldogutierrez7022]

Yall had something good with the old intro and fucked it up

[@kylelittle7968]

Yall are about B1G hugs

[@Billybutcha5]

Brothers… we cannot disrespect uncle Chael by not knowing his name

[@doingfreakythings9290]

I am here !! Are you also here watching this for the boys ???

[@brianknapp8585]

Will, try Spartacus tv show!

[@johnbrown2051]

I absolutely cannot stand Taylor since this last football season (Michigan fans are the worst from a non OSU fan) but they continue to kill the podcast. I always have to listen, well done #ftb

[@LaggyMcstutters]

We should get bert and stephen a together and see who runs out of shit to say first.

[@Bushwhaker]

4AM IS BACK !!!

[@JacksonMack3742]

7 am here in Florida obviously so it's ready for the drive to work. Whereas new heights premieres at 9:30 every week so I have to listen at work or after, and miss the golden morning hour of the glowing mind, ya feeeeeeeel????? Haha jk peace tho from TB-SP, FL

[@mutsa8]

11am here in UK, and now it's been thrown back and hour and I have to find something else to watch on my break. Why do they keep changing the start time?

[@emilioaguilar4771]

5 am here in AZ

[@lucaneutronbrasi1002]

BRING BACK THE OLD INTRO!!!

[@codydailey6276]

Oooo the thiccums, the chowda, the crunchy khular. SNOW🤘🏽

[@crutopiarecords4874]

SA acting like digital is so complicated. In that case Mcafee is a baby in television and he’s killing it, and doesn’t need it.

[@19IvanCoronado]

Bring Vrabel back now as a free agent lol. Let him loose