Monday Night Football fans left split as $100m man Stephen A. Smith makes debut on yet another ESPN show

Stephen A. Smith always wanted to follow in his idol Howard Cosell's footsteps by working on Monday Night Football.

So when it came time for him to renew his deal with ESPN — a pact reported by The Athletic to be worth at least $100 million over five years — Smith sought a larger role that included Monday Night Football appearances on top of his already strenuous schedule.

This week, Smith finally made his Monday Night Countdown debut on ESPN ahead of the Detroit Lions' victory over the Ravens in Baltimore.

'First things first,' Smith said at the anchor desk while shaking hands with co-hosts Jason Kelce and Scott Van Pelt. 'I am honored. My first Monday night game ever.'

Kelce appeared overwhelmed with the moment, insisting it was his honor to be 'sitting between Scott Van Pelt and Stephen A. Smith!'

But the general euphoria quickly gave way Stephen A. Smith fatigue online, where some viewers complained about a hard-working broadcaster who already spends his days speaking to millions of fans across ESPN and SiriusXM.

'Really didn't care how Stephen A's contract is,' one critic began online. 'But if those dollars mean I have to see him everywhere…then I care now.'

They added: 'If there's such a thing as "too much of a good thing"… Then too much of Stephen A is definitely a thing.'

'"We don't see enough of Stephen A. Smith on ESPN" — not one life form that has ever existed since time began,' another critic followed.

Others were more succinct.

'Mr. Smith is not a positive addition to MNF,' one person complained.

Another added that 'nobody wants this,' but they may not be right.

In fact, many hope to see him replace MNF regular Ryan Clark, who has recently drawn criticism for on-air comments to he and Smith's First Take co-host, Peter Schrager.

'Nobody would complain if he permanently replaced Ryan Clark,' one person wrote of Smith on X.

Overall, Smith's performance on MNF got mixed reviews, although he did misfire by picking the Ravens ahead of the Lions' 38-30 win. But, in fairness to Smith, ESPN's panel of experts also had Baltimore winning at home.

Smith did take further criticism for his pink suit, which reminded many of the Pink Panther.

The veteran broadcaster is expected to make two more MNF appearances this season, Front Office Sports recently reported.