{"id":874869,"date":"2026-10-08T07:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T07:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/874869\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T07:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T07:16:10","slug":"espn-star-stephen-a-smiths-lane-johnson-eagles-rant-triggers-immediate-video-apology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/874869\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN star Stephen A. Smith’s Lane Johnson, Eagles rant triggers immediate video apology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Stephen A. Smith<\/a> loves playing the Teflon Don of sports media; that is, until he faces some actual criticism. ESPN’s heavyweight had to answer for his own words after aiming for Lane Johnson\u2019s sudden retirement. The Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> tackle made a surprising decision by announcing his retirement four games into the NFL season.<\/p>\n

“Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health,” Johnson, the 14-year veteran, announced.<\/p>\n

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EAGLES PART WITH CAM JURGENS ONE DAY AFTER LOSING LANE JOHNSON TO RETIREMENT IN ROSTER SHAKEUP<\/a><\/p>\n

Lane Johnson has previously spoken publicly about his ongoing struggles with severe anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n

\"Lane <\/p>\n

Lane Johnson No. 65 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 13, 2026. (Michael Owens\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"Stephen <\/p>\n

ESPN commentator and executive producer Stephen A. Smith is on set in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 7, 2025, where the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs. (Aaron M. Sprecher\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

But on Wednesday\u2019s First Take<\/a>, Stephen A. set off the internet after questioning the timing of Johnson\u2019s decision<\/a> and suggested the Eagles\u2019 poor season, through four weeks, had far more to do with it than any personal reasons.<\/p>\n

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW\u2013UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!<\/a><\/p>\n

“Now he calls it quits. Not before the season. Not in the offseason,” Smith said. ” … Four games into the 2026 season, a dude that has been in the league forever sits back and says, \u2018I need to focus on my mental health.\u2019 Am I making it up?”<\/p>\n

Smith doubled down, mocking the timing of Lane’s decision: “And this brother said, \u2018Hey, my life matters. It\u2019s time. I\u2019m gonna call it quits. My mental health. My mental.’ Lord!”<\/p>\n

To be fair, losing an All-Pro anchor in October is a brutal blow for Philly, especially after Howie Roseman shipped starting lineman Cam Jurgens<\/a> to Baltimore earlier in the day. Perhaps the Eagles are in position to be early sellers, which Smith’s original point touched on.<\/p>\n

\"Lane <\/p>\n

Lane Johnson No. 65 of the Philadelphia Eagles lines up before a play during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sept. 28, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Those comments didn’t land too hot. Co-host Kimberley A. Martin stepped in live on air to call him out: “I feel like you\u2019re making light of the situation.”<\/p>\n

STEPHEN A SMITH AND ESPN SHOULD CONSIDER A FULL-TIME REUNION WITH SKIP BAYLESS<\/a><\/p>\n

Feeling the room shift, Smith immediately tried pivoting on air to claim he was attacking the organization rather than the player: “I would never make light of mental health issues. I\u2019m making light of the Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 trashy situation right now,” he said.<\/p>\n

Smith followed up and posted an apology video on X later that afternoon addressing the backlash.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m sorry that when I was on television earlier this morning, on First Take \u2026 people misconstrued me minimizing mental health,” he said.<\/p>\n

Stephen A. claims he’s immune to the noise, yet he folded the instant the heat turned up. If a single afternoon on X sends him running for cover, his presidential dreams are DOA.<\/p>\n

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Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com<\/a> \/ Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela<\/a><\/p>\n

Alejandro Avila is a longtime writer at OutKick, living in Southern California.\u00a0<\/p>\n