ESPN's "First Take" is facing a viewer revolt after Stephen A. Smith mocked Philadelphia Eagles star Lane Johnson's decision to retire from the NFL citing mental health - and fans say his apology only made things worse.
Johnson, the Eagles' longtime offensive tackle, stunned the football world by walking away just four games into the 2026 season, saying his mental health was the main reason for the sudden decision. On "First Take," Smith brought up Johnson's choice in a mocking tone, laughing on air as he questioned the timing. "You know what, 'I'm going to call it quits,'" Smith said sarcastically. "Now, he calls it quits. Not before the season. Not in the offseason. No, no, no."
Smith went further, openly questioning Johnson's stated reason. "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,'" Smith said. "As an offensive tackle, lord, you know it is bad."
The backlash was swift and furious. Fans flooded social media calling for a boycott of the show, accusing Smith of stigmatizing mental health struggles and punching down at a player who had been candid about a deeply personal decision. Johnson has spoken in the past about his battles with anxiety and depression, making him one of the NFL's most prominent voices on athlete mental health - and making Smith's mockery land with particular cruelty in the eyes of many viewers.
Smith later apologized for the comments but simultaneously insisted that people had simply taken his words the wrong way - a non-apology framing that did little to calm the anger. The backlash has not slowed, with boycott calls continuing to circulate days later.
The episode has reignited a long-running debate about sports media's treatment of mental health. In recent years, athletes across leagues have become more open about psychological struggles, and broadcasters have faced growing pressure to treat those disclosures with seriousness rather than as fodder for debate segments. Smith, one of the most powerful voices in American sports media, now finds himself cast as the embodiment of the old approach.
ESPN has not announced any disciplinary action or programming change. Whether the boycott threats translate into measurable ratings damage remains to be seen - outrage cycles in sports media are often loud but brief. But for Johnson, who stepped away from the game at the peak of his powers to protect his well-being, the week's discourse has been an unwanted coda to a courageous decision.