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Sage Steele said the world is going to see the true Samantha Ponder after ESPN fired the “Sunday NFL Countdown” host.
The former “SportsCenter” anchor went to bat for Ponder and explained “it’s all gonna come out” in a video she posted on X — shortly after ESPN dismissed Ponder and football analyst Robert Griffin III for budgetary reasons.
“This is another loss for ESPN, but it is a gain for literally the rest of the world because now you’re going to see the true Sam Ponder,” Steele said. “It’s all going to come out, and I hope you’re ready. She is a gem.”
Steele appeared emotional while explaining her friendship with Ponder, whom she said she became close with at ESPN because of their similar values and faith.
“Samantha has taught me so much about God, about scripture, about the bible, about not giving up and about standing tall,” Steele said. “And you know what, she’s done that for the last several years at ESPN, even when it was hard.
“When I was still at ESPN, we would talk about it all the time. And I just need everyone to know, this is a brilliant woman, an incredible mother who’s also made me an incredible mother, who’s also made me a better mother … and I’m so excited for her future. It’s so scary when you’re in it; you don’t know if you’re going to ever be OK.”
“Sam already knows that this is such a blessing that God is bestowing upon her because there’s so much more for her to do.”
Steele went on to explain she is so proud of Ponder, and she’s honored to call her a friend.
“I love you, [Sam Ponder],” Steele wrote, including a red heart emoji.
Ponder has yet to publicly address the situation.
She has been open about her opinions and recently praised ESPN “College Gameday” host Kirk Herbstreit for doubling down on his stance that men don’t belong in women’s sports.
Steele left ESPN in August 2023 after both sides settled a lawsuit she filed after she was taken off the air in October 2021 for comments she made about the the company’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.
“I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely,” Steele, who worked at ESPN since 2007, said at the time.
