Everyone who’s ever watched the show knew First Take would debate Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes the Monday after Super Bowl LIX, regardless of the outcome. Ryan Clark came prepared. After listening to fellow retired NFL star Shannon Sharpe advocate for Brady (who coincidentally was part of the Fox call), Clark quickly countered Sharpe’s take from the NBA GOAT debate, questioning how the argument for LeBron James over Michael Jordan could rely on longevity and accomplishments, yet close the case for Brady over Mahomes before Mahomes even turns 30.
“You’ve gotta choose a side,” Clark stated. “You’ve gotta admit you’re out here caping for ‘LeGOAT’ James, or recognize that the GOAT discussion should have been concluded long ago. According to you, making it to the championship multiple times is supposed to mean something. There’s still plenty of Mahomes’s career left to prove himself—his past performances don’t erase his achievements.”
Tom Brady is the 🐐, but no player has ever had the start to a career that @PatrickMahomes has. So, @ShannonSharpe & @stephenasmith saying the 🐐 debate is settled is wild! Isn’t Shannon the person who backs a guy with more Finals losses with wins as the Goat?
Mahomes resume… pic.twitter.com/wrGUPyI7r3
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 10, 2025
Sharpe is one of the most prominent defenders of James in sports media. Having relocated to Los Angeles to cohost Undisputed just before James joined the Lakers, Sharpe has developed a close relationship with James that often spills over on-air. Many will recall his confrontation with Memphis Grizzlies players during the 2022-23 NBA season while seated court-side at Crypto.com Arena, where it seemed he forgot he was not James’s teammate. While Sharpe’s FS1 cohost, Skip Bayless, also took shots at James and the Lakers, his ESPN counterparts aren’t as favorable towards the legendary Akron native. On multiple occasions, Sharpe has sparred with Stephen A. Smith on First Take, engaging in the classic LeBron vs. MJ debate.
In essence, Clark caught Sharpe speaking inconsistently. The takeaway? If you intend to argue about who the best quarterback of all time is, at least come armed with a solid and consistent argument.
