IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has found himself at the center of a firestorm.
Earlier this week, Lane Johnson announced he was retiring from the NFL to focus on his mental health.
“I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season,” Johnson said in a lengthy statement posted to social media. “But after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized that my personal and family priorities have changed. Right now it is critical that I focus on my mental health.”
During Wednesday’s edition of ‘First Take’, Smith appeared to mock Johnson for citing mental health reasons for his retirement.
“Now he calls it quits, not before the season. Not in the offseason…four games into the 2026 season, a dude that has been in the league forever, sits back and says I need to focus on my mental health”
“Now he calls it quits, not before the season. Not in the offseason…four games into the 2026 season, a dude that has been in the league forever, sits back and says I need to focus on my mental health” – Stephen A. Smith on Lane Johnson retiring https://t.co/itUSL5LrVt
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 7, 2026
Smith received immediate criticism on social media over his comments.
Mental health is serious, trust me this game takes a toll! Be there for us instead of mock us!
— C.J. Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) October 7, 2026
This is incredibly insensitive to Lane Johnson’s current family situation, and quite frankly it’s pretty appalling.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) October 7, 2026
After getting called out, Smith refused to apologize and claims he wasn’t making light of the situation.
“Let me get a bit serious for a second, because Kimberley brought up […] making light of the situation,” Smith said. “I appreciate the look-out. Thank you very much. Let me be very, very clear and specific about what I’m saying: I would never make light of mental health issues. I’m making light of the Philadelphia Eagles’ trashy situation right now.”
“I am saying to you that the Philadelphia Eagles, their situation is so chaotic, so haphazard, it’s not worth it to a lot of people. This is a guy that hasn’t allowed a sack or a quarterback hit in the three games he’s played this year.
“Let me be very, very clear and specific about what I’m saying, I would never make light of mental health issues” – Stephen A. Smith https://t.co/S7V0dV8N60
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 7, 2026