ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said Friday he had no role in Shannon Sharpe’s departure from ESPN this summer, pushing back on speculation he influenced the network’s decision to part ways with his former “First Take” co-host.

On Friday’s episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Smith said he had no say in Sharpe being fired and ESPN management made the decision. He also said he thought Sharpe did a great job on ‘First Take’ and that he missed working with him.

“He’ll always have a friend in me,” Smith said. “I’ll always be here for him. Anything I can do, I will do. But there’s certain things that I have no control over, and that is just the situation that it is. But Shannon and I talk often, I call and check on him every chance I can, and I’m always rooting for him, and I’m alw

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