Sad Stephen A. Smith reacts on-air to Molly Qerim's stunning 'First Take' departure

The longtime co-host of the show was noticeably absent on Tuesday after making her surprising announcement.

Stephen A. Smith (Stephen Smith) on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Dome. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Molly Qerim stunned the sports world by announcing she’s leaving ESPN and First Take after having been on the show for 10 years.

The 41-year-old Qerim has been working at ESPN since 2006, and reportedly turned down the the network’s contract offer and is moving on. She was disappointed she didn’t break her own news, however: “Now that the news came out earlier than I intended, and not in the way I hoped…” she said in an emotional note.

Sports Business Journal reported Qerim "is leaving the network at the end of the year, sources tell SBJ.”

RELATED: ESPN's Molly Qerim slays bold, all-brown 'fall ready' denim fit for NFL season

Qerim always brings her best with her fit game on the show. | Molly Qerim/Instagram

The Emmy Award winner is always a fit hit on the show from looks like her “locked in” leather miniskirt, to her denim Canadian tuxedo stunner. In the past, Stephen A. Smith called her a “fashionista” and praised her fashion choices.

Speaking of her co-host Smith, he reacted to the news of her departure on Tuesday’s show: “She’s elevated the show with her grace and expertise,” he said. He’d add, “She has been an enormous part of our success for a decade. Not only did she keep me and others in line, she did it with dignity, class, and kindness to say the least. We’ll miss her and wish her every blessings on her future.” You can hear his full speech below.

RELATED: Molly Qerim’s fit stars in Denzel Washington, Spike Lee photo on 'First Take'

"She has been an enormous part of our success for a decade. ... She did it with dignity, class, and kindness to say the least. We'll miss her and wish her every blessing on her future."

-@stephenasmith with a message for @MollyQerim as she announced she will be departing from… pic.twitter.com/pmVRwWg1dj

— First Take (@FirstTake) September 16, 2025

Qerim wasn’t on the show after her announcement despite the report she’d leave at the end of the year.

What’s next for Molly Qerim? One thing is for sure: The show will never be the same.

Molly Qerim/Instagram

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