ESPN’s “First Take” is on the road for an HBCU Tour and the first stop was on the campus of Howard University just a day before the annual Truth and Service Classic, better known as the “Battle of the Real HU” game versus Hampton University. The show included hosts Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, Shannon Sharpe, Dominque Foxworth, and student guests, bringing the latest sports news to debate on the yard of Howard, and inviting the university community and District at large to join the conversation.
“Growing up I was always deep into sports and I wanted to be a sports analyst when I was younger, ” said sophomore Architecture major Braydon Austin. “I’m very familiar with ‘First Take.’ I watched it a lot, especially with my dad. It’s definitely a good environment, especially to be this close and personal with people I’ve watched all my life.”
From Smith’s opinion on the Dallas Cowboys, to NBA star LeBron James, or even predictions for the “Battle of the Real HU” game, there were topics of conversation for all audiences to enjoy.
Two Howard University student-athletes, Kelsie Jarret and Bryce Harris, had the opportunity to help spearhead some of the conversations in the show with the “First Take” cast, keeping audiences entertained and engaged.
Jarrett, a junior Journalism major and member of Howard’s Softball team, shared her excitement of being featured on ESPN’s “First Take.”
“Honestly, my heart dropped because I’ve been watching ‘First Take’ since I was little,” said Jarrett. “A few weeks ago I made a post on my Instagram saying how the highlight of my day is coming home from practice and watching ‘First Take,’ so to have the opportunity to be on it is amazing.”
Bryce Harris, a senior marketing major from Long Island, New York, and member of Howard men’s basketball team, said he asked a question to Smith and Sharpe that sparked a great debate.
“Basically, I was asking who was the GOAT between Michael Jordan and LeBron James,” Harris told The Informer. “I was asking Shannon that, and Stephen A. is a Michael Jordan guy, so it was cool seeing them go back and forth. Love it.”
Although “First Take” stimulated major excitement from the Howard community and District at large, Smith received a special surprise from junior Journalism student Harmony Bailey.
“ Fifteen“Fifteen years ago, when I was 5 years old, I interviewed Stephen A Smith at Jesse Jackson’s 69th birthday party, and never would I have, thought I would wouldbe twenty 20 years old, standing on my college campus having this full circle moment with such an acclaimed journalist such as him again.”
“This was a very big opportunity for me because in preparation and thinking about my question, I asked something that was not just benefiting me but benefiting the students of SOC (School of Communications)”, said Bailey.
First Take will make their next stop on the campus of Tennessee State on Oct. 11. ,” she told The Informer.
“First Take” will make its next stop on the campus of Tennessee State University on Oct. 11.