ESPN stars Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith had an 'explosive argument', which resulted in the First Take host 'banning the ex-punter from his show' after he 'called him a motherf***er' in heated dispute

ESPN talents Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith recently became embroiled in an explosive argument that led to the former being banned from First Take, according to a report. 

Tensions between the two hosts arose during a private phone call conversation a few weeks ago with tempers flaring to the point where McAfee called Smith a 'motherf***er', according to the New York Post. 

The bitter argument is said to have been triggered by creative differences over a future project, which will be aired on ESPN and produced by Smith's own production company, Mr. SAS Productions. 

Their relationship in the aftermath of the feud apparently soured so much that Smith exiled McAfee from appearing on First Take, which he hosts and McAfee guest-starred on weekly throughout the NFL season. 

However, both sides are said to have resolved their differences and put the dispute behind them, according to the report. 

Pat McAfee (L) and Stephen A. Smith (R) recently became embroiled in an explosive argument

In separate statements to the Post, both parties tried to diffuse the tension. Smith denied that he had ever banned McAfee from his show, while his fellow host claimed he wasn't aware one had ever existed.

'I have nothing but love for Stephen A.,' McAfee told The Post. 'I think I'm still welcome on 'First Take'? I was scheduled through football season to join on Tuesdays, hopefully next year that'll happen as well.' 

'Pat McAfee and I have no issue and the notion that he'd be banned from 'First Take' is B.S,' Smith said. 

'We are No.1 and he has absolutely contributed to us remaining No.1. McAfee was asked to come on each Tuesday through the Super Bowl and he did just that, kicking ass each time he came on the air.

'If McAfee wants to be on 'First Take' next season, he will be on 'First Take'. I love winners and McAFee has proven he wins — which helps ME win. I don't know how many times I have to tell folks that he's trail-blazed a path into a new era for so many of us. I'm grateful to have him as a part of my team and the ESPN Family. And I'm looking forward to having him on for years to come. I sincerely hope that I will not have to repeat myself on this nonsense again!'

While appearing on an episode of Barstool's 'Bussin' with the Boys' podcast, which was recorded during Super Bowl week and aired the following week, Smith made racial comparisons between himself and McAfee. 

'I love Pat McAfee, love him to death. I love his swag; I love the fact that he's an honest brother. He don't give a s**t … That's my kind of dude,' Smith said. 

'That works for me. Now, is he as polished politically as me? Nope, because he has no desire to be number one. And number two, if we're being honest, he's white, and I'm black; he doesn't have to be. I had to be. So I get all that, and I'm not knocking him for it.' 

During a podcast appearance, Smith made racial comparisons between himself and McAfee

 However, he later clarified his comments on his own podcast, insisting that he intended for them to refer to ESPN's white and black talents in general. 

McAfee has endured a turbulent year with the network, even accusing ESPN executive Norby Williamson of trying to sabotage his show in January.

After New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers appeared to suggest Jimmy Kimmel would be named as one of Jeffrey Epstein's associates during one of his weekly Tuesday appearances in January, McAfee let rip at Williamson for allegedly attempting to bring down his show.

'Now there are some people actively trying to sabotage us from within ESPN,' he said. 'More specifically I believe Norby Williamson is the guy attempting to sabotage our program.'

He then continued: 'Are we just going to combat that from a rat every single time? I don't know. But somebody tried to get ahead of our actual ratings release with wrong numbers 12 hours beforehand.

'That's a sabotage attempt, and it's been happening basically this entire season from some people who didn't necessarily love the old addition of the Pat McAfee Show to the ESPN family.'

ESPN was quick to reject McAfee's claim that Williamson is deliberately trying to sabotage his show, insisting 'no one is more committed to and invested in ESPN's success' than its executive senior vice president.

Yet, McAfee took aim at Williamson again last week, claiming the executive could not be considered his 'boss'. 

McAfee accused ESPN executive Norby Williamson (left) of trying to sabotage his show

McAfee singled out the experienced executive (pictured), accusing him of leaking information

The punter-turned-TV personality did not name Williamson specifically but viewed his previous remarks as 'just a warning shot to I thought a person that was at the same [level].'

'I report directly to [ESPN president] Jimmy [Pitaro] and [Disney CEO] Bob [Iger],' McAfee said.

'I saw [media reporting] "Pat calls out his boss." I don't got a motherf***ing boss. What are we …? We talking Jimmy Pitaro or Bob Iger?

'Like, is that who we're talking about? Because those are people that could technically be described as my boss.'