ESPN on-air host Max Kellerman said farewell after a five-year run on "First Take."
Kellerman was joined by co-host Stephen A. Smith, who was absent from the set of the long-running sports-talk show, reportedly due to surgery, according to the New York Post.
No official reason was given for Kellerman's exit from the show, but the Post had previously reported Smith played a role in the move, apparently because he thought they lacked chemistry.
In his farewell comments, Kellerman expressed appreciation for Smith's apparent role in landing him the job back in 2016.
"Stephen A. had a lot of say in who was going to be his partner after Skip Bayless left the show," Kellerman said. "And I was honored to have been chosen, and wouldn't change the last five years for anything."
Smith praised Kellerman "for his contributions" to the top-rated show.
"All I wanted to say, is to thank my man Max for five years," Smith said. "Originally it was supposed to be a three-year run, and it was a five-year run, and we've been No. 1 every single year. You had an awful lot to do with that. I want to thank you for your contributions to the show. ... I'm calling to wish you nothing but the best, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there to wish it to you face-to-face."
"I'm glad you called in," Kellerman said. "It means a lot.
"This is an enormous platform, and important issues were brought up over the years, and I got to opine about -- and use the platform -- to say things that were important, and when social issues intersected with the world of sports. And I'll always cherish it. But all things come to an end, and this is the end of my run on First Take."
The show will feature a rotating cast of guest co-hosts rather than finding a permanent replacement for Kellerman, the Post report said.
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