After First Take reported its 14th consecutive month of year-over-year (YoY) viewership growth, Stephen A. Smith unveiled the latest edition of his “A-List,” outlining his top five teams in the National Football League. As Smith starts every one of these segments, he makes sure to remind viewers that “The list is fluid” and then proceeds to give his soliloquy explaining why he made these choices. Anticipating that the Miami Dolphins could be elevated to No. 1 on the list after scoring a franchise record 70 points in a 50-point victory over the Denver Broncos, the cast of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz eagerly awaited this part of the program.
When Smith began announcing his list, he disclosed that the Kansas City Chiefs were listed fifth followed by the Buffalo Bills. The Philadelphia Eagles slotted in the No. 3 spot, and the room began to ascertain that it would either be the San Francisco 49ers or the Dolphins in second place. Once it was divulged that Smith had the 49ers placed second following their defeat of the New York Giants, the Miami-based studio erupted in a frenzy.
“If he puts the 49ers No. 2, I think you know who’s going No. 1,” show co-host and Meadowlark Media co-founder Dan Le Batard said.
“And if he puts the Dolphins No. 2, I think we know who’s going No. 1,” co-host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner replied.
Once the 49ers were revealed in the second spot, Le Batard removed his headphones and fell from his sliding chair. Weiner celebrated the news, as did the show producers and contributors Billy Gil, Lucy Rohden and Roy Bellamy among others. He then waited for the news to become official as Le Batard remained prostrate, and at the moment it did, there was as the jubilation grew louder and caused the audio modulation to peak. “Curveball!,” one of the people in the studio could be heard shouting as the camera panned to the production room where employees had their arms in the air.
Le Batard eventually got up and turned his cap sideways as the room began signing the Miami Dolphins fight song. The team is in first place in the AFC East division and will seek to keep that position as they face the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.
“We’re the Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins, No. 1,” the room sang. “We’re the Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins – Miami Dolphins, No. 1!”
