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Stephen A. Smith Says He Almost Died From COVID-19

The ESPN personality returned to his ‘First Take’ program this week after his bout with the virus.

Stephen A. Smith is recounting the battle with COVID-19 that he recently went through.

The ESPN personality, who returned to his First Take program this week after being away to fight the virus for weeks, spoke in-depth on Monday (January 17) about his experience and says he almost died from it.

Smith says he had pneumonia, a 103-degree fever "every night," headaches, night sweats, and a cough. He also revealed he spent New Year's Day in the hospital.

RELATED: ESPN’s Jay Williams Grills Stephen A. Smith Over COVID Vaccination Consistency Between Kyrie Irving And Aaron Rodgers

"I can't tell you how lucky and sincerely blessed I am to be sitting here with you guys today," Smith told his co-hosts, "Because two-and-a-half, three weeks ago, I didn't know if I was going to make it."

Smith said doctors also told him that he likely would've died if he had not been vaccinated.

"That’s how bad it was," Smith said. "I had pneumonia in both lungs. My liver was bad. It ravaged me."

That said, Smith assured viewers that he’s in good spirits for his television return, which came just in time for his to troll the Dallas Cowboys for their NFL Playoff loss on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Watch Stephen A. describe his experience with COVID-19 below.

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