Molly Qerim i (Photo Via Instagram/@mollyqerim)
Molly Qerim knows how to command attention, and this Friday’s episode of First Take was no exception. The longtime ESPN host returned to the studio with her usual poise and a look that sparked plenty of buzz across social media.
After taking a brief break from the show earlier this month, Qerim, 41, stepped back before the camera last week. While she managed a slight cough upon her return, it didn’t slow her down. This week, she anchored every episode with her trademark presence and kept the fiery sports debates moving with ease. But by Friday, it wasn’t just the basketball chatter or Stephen A. Smith’s hot takes that had fans talking.
Fan Reactions Light Up Social Media
Qerim wore a sleek brown dress on Friday’s show, and fans wasted no time sharing their thoughts online. Her look quickly drew praise, overshadowing even the Knicks’ win over the Pacers that had the panel fired up earlier in the morning.
.@stephenasmith gives the Knicks a 0% chance to beat OKC if they were to advance to the NBA Finals 😯 pic.twitter.com/BDrlblTNGP
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 30, 2025
“Molly Qerim in this lime green maxi dress” one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Molly Qerim in this lime green maxi dress 😮💨
— KJ (@KdotJohnson_) May 29, 2025
Another chimed in, “Gah damn Molly looking good on First Take.”
Gah damn Molly looking good on First Take
— King Alvin (@Finesseinisreal) May 30, 2025
It wasn’t just a fleeting moment. Qerim’s style has regularly turned heads during her tenure at ESPN, and her fashion choices continue to earn attention without overshadowing her role at the desk. Since taking over as host in 2015, the UConn alum has brought both substance and polish to First Take, keeping the show sharp, quick-paced, and viewer-focused.
Molly Qerim (Photo via Instagram)
Behind the scenes, Qerim remains just as active. Off camera, she supports organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Innocence Project, often using her platform to highlight causes close to her. Occasionally, she weaves in personal insights during the show, giving fans a glimpse beyond the camera.
Qerim returns to First Take on Monday at 10 a.m. ET. Whether it’s leading the discussion or making a fashion statement, it remains to be seen.
Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.
Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.
‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.
‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’
‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.
The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.
‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.
‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’
Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.
During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.
Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.
‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.
‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’
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