ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith was back on First Take on Monday morning after nearly a monthlong absence due to a positive test for COVID-19. Though Smith initially described his symptoms as mild when the positive test was announced on Dec. 21, he would share that the experience became much worse as time went on.
According to Smith, he ended up being hospitalized after COVID-related complications and developed pneumonia in both his lungs. Doctors would end up telling him that he likely wouldn’t have survived his battle with COVID if he wasn’t fully vaccinated. He credited the vaccine for saving his life during Monday’s edition of First Take.
"And they told me had I not been vaccinated, I wouldn't be here. That's how bad I was."
— ESPN's @stephenasmith details his recent, nearly fatal battle with COVID pic.twitter.com/jtkZV62RIA
— The Recount (@therecount) January 18, 2022
