“Fire Him” – Lane Johnson’s Ex-Teammate, NFL Fans Call Out Stephen A. Smith For Mocking Mental Health Issues

Stephen A. Smith is facing backlash for his remarks about Lane Johnson’s retirement on First Take. From Johnson’s former teammates to football fans, everyone is bashing the longtime ESPN analyst on social media.

Johnson, a 14-year Eagles vet, retired hours after the Week 4 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. Johnson retired to focus on his mental health. Stephen A. Smith, an advocate of mental health, criticized the timing of Johnson’s retirement.

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 said on Wednesday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take.

Johnson played 171 games during his time in Philly. He earned 6 Pro Bowl and 5 All-Pro selections and two Super Bowls. Several consider Johnson one of the GOAT offensive linemen in league history. Fans did not appreciate Smith’s statement about Johnson.

Football fans criticized Stephen A. Smith’s harsh words for Lane Johnson

Smith’s mother passed away back in 2017. Smith grew up idolizing his mother because she worked hard to raise the family.

Speaking to Outkick founder Clay Travis, Smith revealed that the first few holidays hurt him the most. He often zoned out and saw “dark” while sitting opposite someone else.

The ESPN host took therapy to get over this dark phase.

All I saw was my mom’s casket being lowered into the ground, and it was just like the worst feeling in the world. And that’s when I knew that I had to go to therapy because it was like, you know, I’m saying things, I’m getting sharp with my tongue, I’m not having the level of compassion that I know that I feel in my heart. There are so many different things that come with it. I know I’m better than that. But I just I didn’t have control because I was emotionally in turmoil.

Stephen A Smith said.

Many felt Smith should be the last person to criticize Johnson, having gone through the same phase he once experienced. Rather than sympathizing with the 38-year-old, Smith implied that Johnson quit on his teammates after just four games into the new season.

Former Eagles and current Buffalo DB, CJ Gardner-Johnson, reacted to the Johnson-Smith fiasco on Twitter.

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

Popular political speaker Travis Akers urged ESPN to fire Stephen A. Smith for his remarks.

Fire Stephen A. Smith, @espn.

— Travis Akers 🇺🇸 (@travisakers) October 7, 2026

People like #StephenASmith are the reason people who struggle with mental health suffer in silence.

— Authentically Mike (@HeavyLeeT1) October 8, 2026

Mocking mental health is low. Steven A Smith is a big reason why people remain silent on mental health issues because folks feel like they will be mocked. Steven A proved that still exists. Its a shame.

— Bob Fescoe (@bobfescoe) October 7, 2026

…and we wonder why there’s a negative stigma around men and mental health. ESPN will be 100x better once Stephen A. Smith is off the air. Sports fans are tired of the loud, out of touch hot takes. That period of sports media and sports talk has run its course.

— Blaine Grisak (@BGMediaOnSI) October 7, 2026

Hey, Stephen A. Smith: Lane Johnson’s mom has cancer. His dad is also sick. I read your book and you talked about how difficult your life got when your mom got sick and after she passed, you had to go to therapy because you were depressed and you took time off of work. Your mocking Lane Johnson’s mental health struggles when you’ve been open about your own mental health struggles? Come on, man. I know you’re busy, but do some research before going on TV @stephenasmith #Eagles

— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) October 7, 2026

I don’t usually give bad people attention, but I need to say that I really, really hate Stephen A Smith. Not a single clip or quote I’ve seen from him has been thoughtful, insightful or constructive. He’s just a shock jock atp. Stop enabling bad people.

— PKSparkxx || #BlackLivesMatter (@PKSparkxx) October 7, 2026

@stephenasmith has done a ton of good for a lot of communities, helping launch HBCU Week in Wilmington just for one. This is despicable. I hope he never actually says that to the face of someone facing mental health challenges.

— Sean Greene (@SeanGreeneWDEL) October 7, 2026

Stephen A. Smith has been around WAY too long to keep getting by on the same opinions as your jackass uncle. But hey, keep encouraging it, @espn, cuz it’s getting this engagement.

— Matt Schauf (@SchaufDS) October 7, 2026

Smith issued an apology on his SiriusXM show.

I’m sorry that when I was on television earlier this morning, on First Take … people misconstrued me minimizing mental health. I would never do that. Hell, I had mental health issues.

Stephen A. Smith said.

Lane Johnson hasn’t replied to any of Smith’s statements. Meanwhile, the Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. The NFC franchise leads the series 5-3.

This fixture was last played in November 2024. Philly quarterback Jalen Hurts threw 18 completions for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns and Saquon Barkley rushed for 159 yards and scored 1 touchdown. The game ended 28-23 in favor of the Eagles.

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