Sage Steele, a former ESPN anchor, has publicly commented on the recent dismissal of Samantha Ponder from the network.
As reported by the New York Post, Steele posted a video on social media platform X, expressing her support for Ponder and suggesting that there may be more to the story that will come to light.
In her video message, Steele described Ponder's departure as a loss for ESPN but a gain for the rest of the world. She hinted at forthcoming revelations, stating that "it's all gonna come out" and that people will see "the true Sam Ponder."
Steele's video was notably emotional as she discussed her friendship with Ponder. She revealed that they had grown close during their time at ESPN, citing shared values and faith as the foundation of their bond.
The former "SportsCenter" anchor praised Ponder's character and the impact she had on Steele's personal life. Steele credited Ponder with teaching her about spirituality and perseverance, especially during challenging times at ESPN. Steele emphasized the strength Ponder had shown while working at ESPN, saying:
Samantha has taught me so much about God, about scripture, about the Bible, about not giving up and about standing tall. And you know what? She's done that for the last several years at ESPN, even when it was hard.
The context for Steele's comments is ESPN's recent decision to part ways with Ponder and football analyst Robert Griffin III. According to reports, these dismissals were attributed to budgetary reasons, signaling potential changes in the network's programming strategy.
Ponder had been a prominent figure at ESPN, hosting "Sunday NFL Countdown," a flagship program for the network's football coverage. Her departure and that of Griffin represent a significant change in ESPN's on-air talent lineup.
Steele herself is familiar with departures from ESPN. She left the network in August 2023 following a settlement of a lawsuit she had filed against the company. The lawsuit was related to her being taken off the air in October 2021 after making comments about ESPN's COVID-19 vaccine policy.
Samantha Ponder's career at ESPN had been notable, particularly her role as the host of "Sunday NFL Countdown." She had been open about her opinions on various matters, including recent praise for ESPN "College Gameday" host Kirk Herbstreit for his stance on men not participating in women's sports.
Steele said of Ponder:
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. It's all going to come out, and I hope you're ready. She is a gem.
In her video message, Steele expressed optimism about Ponder's future beyond ESPN. She viewed the situation as an opportunity for Ponder to expand her horizons and pursue new endeavors. Steele commented on the uncertainty that comes with such career changes but remained confident in Ponder's abilities. She stated, "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."
The former ESPN anchor concluded her message with words of pride and affection for Ponder, emphasizing the strong friendship they had developed over the years. Steele wrote on X, "I love you, @samponder," accompanied by a red heart emoji.
In conclusion, Sage Steele's public support for Samantha Ponder following her dismissal from ESPN has brought attention to recent changes in the sports network. Steele's emotional video message highlighted the close relationship between the two broadcasters and hinted at potential future revelations regarding Ponder's time at ESPN. The situation reflects ongoing shifts in sports media personnel and programming, with ESPN making significant changes to its on-air talent roster.
