Stephen A. Smith’s Hilarious and Relatable Reaction to Tim Tebow’s Playoff Heroics

A Day That Changed Everything for Stephen A. Smith

In a recent interview with his former First Take cohost Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith shared a hilarious and deeply human story about one of the most memorable moments of his career—or at least one of the most unexpected. It was January 2012, and Tim Tebow, then the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, had just pulled off a stunning upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round. Tebow’s 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in overtime sealed the win and sent shockwaves through the sports world. For Stephen A. Smith, however, this moment was anything but celebratory. In fact, it left him so emotionally drained that it impacted even his personal life.

Smith, who has been open about his single status and active dating life, revealed that he was seeing a “very, very beautiful, sexy woman” at the time. He described how he and his partner were having a “really, really good time” most evenings, but everything changed after Tebow’s miraculous touchdown. “I collapsed on the floor, and I laid there for over two hours,” he confessed. “I didn’t move. I was so damn depressed.” His sex drive, as he humorously put it, was put “in neutral.”

The Emotional Toll of a Stunning Loss

The anecdote paints a vivid picture of how deeply sports can affect even the most seasoned analysts. Smith admitted that Tebow’s heroics left him in a state of despair, stripped of his usual energy and vitality. “After I finally got up from that living room floor, I couldn’t eat, couldn’t have sex, couldn’t do nothing,” he said. The loss was so devastating that it Consumed him entirely, and for a man who is known for his fiery personality and unapologetic opinions, this moment of vulnerability was both surprising and relatable.

Much of Smith’s anguish was amplified by the fact that his then-cohost, Skip Bayless, was an unapologetic Tim Tebow fan. Bayless had been a vocal supporter of Tebow throughout his career, often going to bat for the quarterback even when he struggled on the field. For Smith, the thought of facing Bayless on the First Take set the next day was unbearable. “I remember spending a legitimate two to three hours trying to conspire to come up with a way that I wouldn’t have to come into work the next morning,” Smith recalled. His desperation even led him to brainstorm outlandish excuses, such as faking a car accident, just to avoid the inevitable arguments and teasing from Bayless.

Facing the Music: A Career Low

Despite his best efforts to avoid the situation, Smith ultimately had no choice but to face the music. He showed up to work the next day, and as he predicted, it turned out to be one of the most challenging days of his First Take career. “It was without question the worst day of my First Take career,” he admitted. The exchange between him and Bayless was likely as fiery as ever, with Bayless no doubt reveling in Tebow’s success and Smith doing everything in his power to defend his position. It’s a testament to Smith’s dedication and professionalism that he even showed up, given how deeply affected he was by the game.

A Reunion Years in the Making

The interview where Smith shared this story marked a significant moment in itself. It was the first time he and Skip Bayless had spoken publicly since their professional split in 2016, when Bayless left ESPN to join FS1 and cohost Undisputed with Shannon Sharpe. Bayless kicked off the reunion by praising Smith, calling him the most important figure in his career. “Nobody in my lengthy career has meant as much to me as this man,” Bayless said, setting a heartfelt tone for their conversation.

Reflecting on Legacy and Passion

As the two sports media titans reflected on their careers, it became clear that this story—while lighthearted and entertaining—also revealed something deeper about their shared passion for sports. For Stephen A. Smith, the memory of Tim Tebow’s playoff heroics is not just a funny anecdote but a reminder of how much sports can impact our lives, even for those who make a living analyzing them. It’s a humbling reminder that, at the end of the day, we’re all fans—subject to the same highs and lows as the people tuning in from home.

And for Smith, who recently signed a whopping five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN, this story is a testament to his enduring love for the game. Even at 57, he is still as invested in sports as ever, and that passion is part of what makes him one of the most recognizable voices in the industry. So the next time you’re feeling down about your favorite team’s loss, take a page out of Stephen A. Smith’s playbook: laugh at yourself, embrace the moment, and remember that even the most iconic analysts aren’t immune to the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with loving sports.