ESPN's "First Take" began Thursday, Oct. 8 with a conciliatory note from host Stephen A. Smith, who one day earlier made light of former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson's decision to retire from the NFL while citing a desire to address his mental health and be with his family.
"My intent was joking about the Eagles. Bottom line is this: It doesn't matter what my intent was, it's how it's perceived," said Smith, who walked the comments back on his SiriusXM radio show in the afternoon of Oct. 7 after criticism over his view of the situation became a significant online conversation.
"Here's the reality of the situation: I was wrong. And when you're an adult, and you're a man, you have to admit that you were wrong. I was wrong to Lane
Johnson," Smith said. "I was wrong to the Philadelphia Eagles. I messed up because I made light of the issue of mental health," which was not his intent, Smith said.
Stephen A. Smith apologizes for Lane Johnson's retirement comments on mental health. pic.twitter.com/4VCYRVS1sp
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 8, 2026
Smith noted the seriousness of mental health conversations. He commended fellow ESPN employee Kimberly A. Martin, who immediately checked Smith and informed him that his comments were coming off as insensitive.
Smith was concerned that his comments would cause those who struggle with mental health to conceal their hurt rather than seek help.
"There's a lot of people in this country and in this world that are going through mental-health issues. And the biggest regret I have in all of this is the fact that it might have given people that wanted to open the door, to seek help, a reason to pause and hesitate and not do so," Smith said. "And I can't emphasize enough how sorry I am about that, because it is a real issue. And for everybody out there that's struggling, that needs help, please, please, don't look at me as somebody who's trying to dissuade you from doing so. It takes courage for the Lane Johnsons of the world to speak up the way he did."
With all of the live television he is a part of, Smith said, he will inevitably make mistakes.
"I apologize," Smith said while seated next to moderator Shea Cornette. "I need to do better. And I will."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen A. Smith apologizes to Lane Johnson, Eagles for mental health comments
