ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark has inserted himself into the ongoing discussion surrounding fellow First Take commentator Cam Newton. The former NFL quarterback is drawing criticism after a recent podcast appearance sparked a public dispute. Newton welcomed Jason Whitlock onto his 4th & 1 podcast for an extended conversation. During the interview, Whitlock directed several pointed remarks at Stephen A. Smith, including questioning aspects of Smith’s personal story.
The comments quickly made their way across social media, prompting a response from Smith. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Smith addressed Newton directly and expressed disappointment in how the interview was handled.
“Cam Newton. Next time, my brother, cause you know I love you. You’re gonna interview somebody and bring me up? Don’t just sit there and let them talk s**t,” Smith said. “Ask questions. If you’re gonna bring me up and you’re somebody that’s in my inner circle, grill them. Don’t just let them talk smack.”
Smith’s remarks highlighted his expectation that Newton, who he considers a professional ally, should have challenged Whitlock’s claims during the interview rather than allowing them to go unchecked. Meanwhile, Ryan Clark also weighed in, offering a similar perspective on social media. Clark pointed to what he views as a lack of loyalty in Newton’s approach.
“If someone shows you love, has you on ‘their’ show twice a week… at least, you don’t bring his known enemy on your show and allow your guest to talk s**t [emoji] about that person,” Clark wrote on X. “That’s not G at all. Loyalty is at a minimum these days.”
As criticism mounted, Newton addressed the situation in a video posted Tuesday on the 4th & 1 YouTube channel. He defended his decision to allow Whitlock to speak freely, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue on his platform.
“You cannot allow people to come on your platform and you control how it goes,” Newton said. “You only can allow them to speak their truth how they know their truth to be.”
Newton also explained that he was not in a position to immediately dispute Whitlock’s claims during the conversation.
“If you don’t know, you can respectfully say, ‘I don’t know if this is true or not,’” he said. “When Stephen A. says, ‘You didn’t hammer down on the question,’ I didn’t know that it was a lie.”
Despite the backlash, Newton indicated he has no plans to apologize publicly for booking Whitlock or for how the interview unfolded. Instead, he appears committed to maintaining an open format that prioritizes guest perspectives, even when those viewpoints generate controversy.
Newton signed a new multi-year agreement with ESPN last summer expanding his role on First Take, the company’s flagship morning debate program.
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