Stephen A Smith has spoken out about now-ex-partner Max Kellerman's removal from ESPN's First Take. Smith owned up to the rumors that he wanted Kellerman off the show as he revealed the real reason behind his desire for the same.

According to Smith, it was nothing personal. At the end of the day, it all boiled down to chemistry (h/t ClutchPoints on Twitter):

“The rumors are accurate in terms of me wanting him off the show,” Smith said on a recent appearance on Ebro in the Morning. “… A lot of people don't realize not just the work that goes into it, but it's a chemistry you have and sometimes it just stalls.”

Smith reiterated throughout the interview that he had no ill will against Kellerman and he denied that there was a rift between them. He also specifically stated that he did not want Kellerman to be fired. It just so happened that Stephen A Smith wanted him off the show.

Smith is ESPN's Golden Boy and First Take is pretty much his show so it comes as no surprise that the higher-ups responded favorably to his request to remove Kellerman from the slot.

We have to commend Stephen A here for admitting that it was him that was behind Kellerman's forced departure. Then again, he still got the man fired. Oh, check that. He just wanted him off the show. Not fired.