Former NFL standout Marcellus Wiley has worked with plenty of hosts and talent in his broadcasting career, but none can really hold a candle to the impact former ESPN host Max Kellerman had on Wiley.
Wiley was the guest last week on Dan Le Batard’s South Beach Sessions, and Le Batard pointed out that the relationship the two had while at ESPN was at a deeper level.
Marcellus Wiley said having a ton in common with Max Kellerman allowed the two of them to develop a great friendship. That friendship translated well on the air.
“It was the best chemistry,” Wiley said. “In large part, it’s because we have a lot of similarities in terms of how we look at life. Family first, our affinity for learning, hip-hop, beefing, clowning, we’re just like brothers from another in that respect.”
“He’s a smart dude, and he’s a real dude,” he added. “And he really helped me through some really painful moments.”
Wiley said Kellerman helped him smooth out the strained relationship he had with his father, which at the time had spanned a couple years. Marcellus Wiley also recalled Max being there for him when he was going through a lot emotionally, in particular when Chargers legend Junior Seau passed away. He said Kellerman utilized their platform on shows like SportsNation on ESPN to help work through some things.
“There were many moments where I was really emotional, and sometimes in despair Max and I talked that out on the air,” Wiley said. “Vulnerable I guess that’s what it is for both of us.”
“We had a chemistry where if it’s something we’re thinking about, let’s talk about it,” he added. “And it was just that simple, man, and that led us to get to places where I wasn’t with any other co-host. And I think the audience felt the same way.”
