Stephen A. Smith denies there's a rift between him and his ESPN colleague Pat McAfee amid reports he banned the former punter from First Take following 'explosive argument'

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has denied that there is any animosity between him and his co-worker Pat McAfee.

Reports from the New York Post indicated that the pair had an explosive phone call a few weeks ago - with McAfee calling his colleague a 'motherf***er' and Smith banning the former punter from 'First Take'.

On his podcast, The Stephen. A Smith Show, the host responded to the story - denying the rift; but not expressly denying the phone call took place.

'There is no dispute whatsoever. Pat McAfee is my teammate. Pat McAfee and I work together on ESPN. There is no banishment from 'First Take' or any other show,' Smith said.

'He is more than welcome to come on 'First Take' in the future and I'm gonna be more than welcome to come on his show.

Stephen A. Smith has denied there's animosity between him and ESPN colleague Pat McAfee

McAfee reportedly called Smith a 'motherf***er' on an explosive phone call

'I don't know how many times I'm gonna have to say this but I'm gonna try this one more time, not just relying on a statement or a quote that I issued through ESPN. 

'But I'm going to look into the cameras and say this to you, nationally and globally: I root for my teammates. I root for my colleagues. I don't root against anybody. The people out there who do that are idiots. A rising tide lifts all boats.'

Smith then went on to thank McAfee and other sports personalities who have succeeded with their own digital platforms like Dan Le Batard, Shannon Sharpe, Bill Simmons, and Ryan Clark. He pointed to them for inspiration to start his own platform and will help him earn revenue as his deal with ESPN is about to expire.

'The business is evolving, and individuals who are employees, who had nothing to rely upon other than their on-air talent have transformed into being actual business men,' Smith said.

'That's not something to hate on. That is something to show gratitude for.'

Smith did not ever specifically deny that there had been a heated phone call, but he reiterated that there is no 'animosity' with McAfee.

This isn't the first time that McAfee has seemingly quarreled with someone at ESPN since the punter joined the company last summer.

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

McAfee has endured a turbulent start to his tenure 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.'

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'. 

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.'