When Stephen A. Smith opened his mouth on First Take to mock Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson's decision to step away from football, the studio should have gone silent. Instead, the cameras kept rolling, and the result was a cringe-worthy moment that has left the entire show — not just Smith — facing justified criticism.
Johnson, who has been open about his battles with mental health, announced his retirement four games into the 2026 season. The Eagles sit at 2-2, and the veteran lineman's departure is no laughing matter. But Smith, in his typical bombastic style, decided to turn Johnson's personal struggle into a punchline.
“You know what, ‘I’m going to call it quits,’” Smith said in a mocking voice, impersonating Johnson. “Now, he calls it quits. Not before the season. Not in the offseason. No, no, no.”
He went on, still in that sarcastic tone, questioning Johnson's motives: “After being subjected to this, he said, ‘Life is a little bit too short.’ I need to focus on — what did he say? His mental health? Am I making it up? Did he say that? 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.’ As an offensive tackle, lord, you know it is bad.”
The irony is thick. Johnson's decision to prioritize his well-being is exactly the kind of courage we should celebrate, not ridicule. But Smith doubled down, even mocking Johnson's words: “This brother said, ‘My life matters.’ It’s time. I’m going to call it quits. My mental health.”
While Smith's co-hosts eventually pushed back, the damage was done. And here's the uncomfortable truth: First Take is a produced show. There are producers, segment directors, and a whole team that vets what goes on air. This wasn't a spontaneous outburst — it was a planned segment, and someone should have hit the brakes long before Smith opened his mouth.
Podcast host Dan Hanzus captured the sentiment perfectly on X: “Everyone involved with this show should be embarrassed by this.” He's right. The show's failure to stop this mockery is a systemic issue, not just a one-man problem.
Smith has since tried to walk it back, saying, “Let me get a bit serious for a second. Kimberly brought up making light of the situation. I appreciate the lookout. Thank you very much. Let me be very clear and specific about what I’m saying, I would never make light of mental health issues.” But that's not an apology — it's a deflection. A simple “I'm sorry, I was wrong” would have been far more effective.
This isn't the first time Smith has found himself in hot water, and it won't be the last. But this moment should serve as a wake-up call for First Take. The show has a responsibility to its audience, and mocking a player's mental health struggles is not just poor taste — it's harmful. As Smith's subsequent apology shows, the network knows it crossed a line, but the damage is done.
For the Eagles, Johnson's absence is a blow, but his health is more important than any game. And for First Take, the lesson is clear: some things are off-limits, and mental health is one of them. The show's producers and crew should take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask themselves how this ever made it to air.
