Stephen A. Smith and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo weren’t there First take this Thursday morning and somehow the hot takes were more outrageous than usual.
After Tom Brady announced his retirement this week, ESPN gave Dan Orlovsky the green light to list his top five quarterbacks of all time. “Always” is the keyword here.
After failing to include Joe Montana on his list, Orlovsky was promptly penalized by fellow NFL analysts Keyshawn Johnson and Damien Woody. Johnson was particularly furious at the brutal list and pressed Orlovsky on why he didn’t give Montana credit for being a top-five QB.
Oh my God.
Dan Orlovsky has now taken 5 minutes to explain why Joe Montana is not on his top 5 QB list.
He started off by saying he was too young to really have observed him. https://t.co/32e85EHdTB pic.twitter.com/NIA9NIdH1M
— Terrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2023
“This is stupid! What the hell is wrong with you, Dan?” Johnson scolded Orlovsky’s list. “You either do this to troll people and start your Twitter game and your Instagram game and your TikTok. How the hell did you take Joe Montana off this list? What’s wrong with you!”
“I’m Dan Orlovsky,” Orlovsky later reminded the audience, causing Johnson and Woody to laugh. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful to Joe Montana.”
According to Orlovsky, 39, the reason he didn’t put Montana on his list was because he couldn’t see him play. Again, this list should be the top five quarterbacks of ALL TIME, not the top five quarterbacks during Orlovsky’s prime as a footballer.
Johnson and Woody were already on Orlovsky for the “stupidity” of that list, but ribs were reinforced when the former NFL quarterback said he would seriously consider putting Drew Brees ahead of Montana.
“I’m Dan Orlovsky”
Dan tries to defend his take from Joe Montana pic.twitter.com/prynqbiHDc— Terrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2023
“Go back to the casino!” Johnson yelled after waving his hand at Mike Francesa to get the Orlovsky camera. ‘Go back to the smoking lounge or something. My goodness!”
“I’m not playing, man! I work too hard for my money,” Orlovsky said, seemingly annoyed after being mocked for his list.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a panelist on a sports debate show is genuinely frustrated when they’re being teased, or if it’s just a little for TV. This is the format for a debate show; take a polarizing stance on an easily argued issue and stir up some outrage. But Orlovsky looked frustrated and I don’t understand why. He left Joe Montana off his top five QB list. Did he really expect to get a passport because he is 39?
“I’m going to text you now, Key,” Orlovsky warned Johnson just before “First Take” went public. “You will apologize.”
Do you apologize for mocking Orlovsky for an attitude that deserves to be mocked? It’s just a shame Stephen A. Smith wasn’t there to oversee this torrid confrontation between Orlovsky and Keyshawn.