Stephen A. Smith breaks silence on Molly Qerim's ESPN exit as she immediately walks away from First Take

Stephen A. Smith paid an emotional tribute to First Take co-host Molly Qerim after she announced she was walking away from the show. 

After reports emerged claiming she is leaving both First Take and ESPN altogether, Qerim took to Instagram on Monday night to confirm her impending exit from the popular sports talk show, which she has fronted with Stephen A. Smith since 2015.

The 41-year-old says she has decided to step away at the end of the year, coming as a huge shock to sports fans across the country. 

In the show's first broadcast after her announcement, Qerim was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Smith kicked off the show and did so by paying tribute to his co-host.

A subdued Smith said: 'Good morning and welcome to First Take. Normally, our friend Molly Qerim would greet you. 

'However, Molly announced last night she will be departing from ESPN. She's hosted First Take for 10 years and elevated the show with her grace, her expertise, and her incomparable kindness.

'She's been an enormous part of our success for a decade. Not only did she keep me and many others in line, she did it with dignity, class and kindness to say the least. 

'We'll miss her and wish her every blessing on her future. I, personally, am grateful to her for her friendship. I will miss spending everyday weekday morning with her'.

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