‘An Inspiration’: Longtime ESPN Host Quits Network to ‘Exercise My First Amendment Rights More Freely’

Sage Steele is moving on from ESPN following a 16-year stint with the network after the two parties settled a lawsuit, she announced on social media Tuesday. Steele made comments in 2021 that roiled network executives. According to the now-former ESPN mainstay, she is moving on and seeking an opportunity that will let her express herself. “Life update. Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely,” Steele tweeted. She concluded, “I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter!” Life update. Having successfully settled my case with ESPN/Disney, I have decided to leave so I can exercise my first amendment rights more freely. I am grateful for so many wonderful experiences over the past 16 years and am excited for my next chapter! #SteeleStrong

— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) August 15, 2023 Steele has not offered any indication regarding what she intends to do next but she was celebrated for separating from the far-left network . You’re an inspiration, Sage! You should be very proud of the work you did there

— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) August 15, 2023 Can’t wait to see what’s next. Cheering for you. And can’t wait to talk!

— Will Cain (@willcain) August 15, 2023 ??????

— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) August 15, 2023 Congratulations, Sage! Whatever you do next will be huge. Cheering for you and your family.

— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) August 15, 2023 Thank you @sagesteele for doing what few are willing to risk these days — taking a stand. You have set a great example for many others. Well done, good and faithful servant. https://t.co/D1KuwZqkXs

— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) August 15, 2023 #BREAKING : Sage Steele has left ESPN after 16 years with the network, following a tumultuous tenure in which she was repeatedly harassed and punished for the crime of not being ultra-woke.

Great news for Sage! https://t.co/BFz1Bby7Cy — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 15, 2023 Steele appeared on former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler’s podcast in 2021 where she criticized ESPN’s COVID vaccine mandate and also praised Candace Owens. She told “Uncut With Jay Cutler,” ESPN’s decision to mandate the vaccine was both “sick” and “scary,” CNN reported. The conservative also commented on former President Barack Obama’s decision to identify as black in spite of the fact he is biracial. “I’m like, ‘Well, congratulations to the president.’ That’s his thing. I think that’s fascinating considering his Black dad was nowhere to be found, but his White mom and grandma raised him, but hey, you do you. I’m going to do me,” Steele told Cutler. Steele was briefly pulled from ESPN’s lineup and later sued. ESPN said at the time of the matter, “At ESPN, we embrace different points of view -- dialogue and discussion make this place great. That said, we expect that those points of view be expressed respectfully, in a manner consistent with our values, and in line with our internal policies." The network concluded, “We are having direct conversations with Sage and those conversations will remain private.”

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .