Terrell Owens calls for ESPN suspension
Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens called for ESPN to suspend Stephen A. Smith in October 2026. His demand followed Smith’s televised comments about former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson.
Owens discussed the controversy on his Get To The Point podcast after Smith publicly apologized. The former NFL receiver questioned whether an apology was enough following remarks about Johnson’s mental health and retirement.
Lane Johnson retires during NFL season
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement on October 6, 2026, during his 14th NFL season. Johnson cited mental health and family priorities as important factors in his decision to leave football.
The announcement came after Johnson had appeared in 3 games during the 2026 season. Philadelphia had completed 4 games, making his decision an unusual mid-season retirement for an established NFL offensive tackle.
Stephen A. Smith questions retirement timing
Stephen A. Smith discussed Lane Johnson’s retirement on ESPN’s First Take on October 7, 2026. He questioned the timing of the decision after the Philadelphia Eagles had completed 4 games that season.
Smith suggested that Philadelphia’s difficult start influenced Johnson’s decision to retire. His remarks also referenced the player’s mental health, prompting criticism over how he discussed the personal circumstances behind Johnson’s departure.
Kimberley A. Martin challenges Smith
ESPN analyst Kimberley A. Martin challenged Stephen A. Smith during the October 7 First Take discussion. She objected to his handling of mental health while the panel examined Lane Johnson’s retirement announcement.
Martin raised her concerns during the same television segment, before Smith issued his public apology. Her response showed that objections to the discussion emerged immediately among commentators participating in the ESPN broadcast.
Stephen A. Smith clarifies his remarks
Stephen A. Smith addressed the criticism on his SiriusXM radio program following the October 7 broadcast. He explained that his comments concerned the Philadelphia Eagles’ performance rather than an attempt to dismiss mental health.
Smith maintained that his intended message had been misunderstood during the television discussion. His initial explanation came before a formal apology on First Take, where he acknowledged problems with his earlier remarks about Johnson.
Stephen A. Smith apologizes on ESPN
Stephen A. Smith apologized to Lane Johnson and the Philadelphia Eagles during ESPN’s First Take on October 8, 2026. He acknowledged making light of mental health while discussing the offensive tackle’s decision to retire.
Smith accepted responsibility for his comments and said he needed to improve his approach. He also recognized that careless discussion of mental health could discourage people from seeking help when they need professional support.
Fun fact: Terrell Owens set the NFL single-game receptions record on December 17, 2000, by catching 20 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown in the San Francisco 49ers’ 17–0 win over the Chicago Bears.
Terrell Owens rejects apology as sufficient
Terrell Owens argued that Stephen A. Smith should face consequences beyond an apology for his comments about Lane Johnson. Speaking on Get TO The Point, Owens said he had not seen the apology but would not accept it if he were Johnson.
The former receiver called for ESPN to suspend Smith over his remarks about mental health. Owens questioned why the broadcaster had not faced publicly announced disciplinary consequences.
Terrell Owens questions ESPN and Disney
Terrell Owens specifically questioned ESPN and its parent company, Disney, over their response to Stephen A. Smith. He asked why the broadcaster had not been suspended following the controversy surrounding Lane Johnson.
As of October 15, 2026, ESPN had not publicly announced a suspension connected to Smith’s comments. Owens’ demand reflected his personal position and did not indicate that the network had decided on disciplinary action.
Terrell Owens compares professional pressures
Terrell Owens challenged Stephen A. Smith’s comparison between his broadcasting responsibilities and the pressures faced by NFL players. The former receiver argued that professional football involves experiences different from those of television commentators.
Owens made the distinction while criticizing Smith’s discussion of Lane Johnson’s mental health. His comments reflected a broader disagreement about whether media personalities fully understand the circumstances athletes face when making difficult career decisions.
Lane Johnson finishes with 2 championships
Lane Johnson helped the Philadelphia Eagles win 2 Super Bowl championships during his 14 NFL seasons. His individual accomplishments included 6 Pro Bowl selections and 2 first-team All-Pro honors during his professional career.
Philadelphia selected Johnson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent his entire NFL career with the Eagles and became a key member of their offensive line.
Emmanuel Acho challenges Smith’s argument
Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho criticized Stephen A. Smith’s suggestion that the team’s performance influenced Lane Johnson’s retirement. Acho responded after Smith discussed the decision on First Take on October 7, 2026.
Acho disputed the connection between Johnson’s retirement and Philadelphia’s 2–2 record. He also pointed to Johnson’s 2 Super Bowl championships while questioning the suggestion that early-season results explained the veteran player’s decision.
Terrell Owens and Smith have history related to Colin Kaepernick
Terrell Owens and Stephen A. Smith disagreed during a November 21, 2019, appearance on ESPN’s First Take about Colin Kaepernick’s efforts to return to the NFL.
Their dispute resurfaced publicly in September 2023. Owens’ October 2026 criticism of Smith followed those earlier disagreements between the former receiver and the ESPN commentator.
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ESPN’s response remains under scrutiny
Stephen A. Smith said ESPN had not required him to apologize for his comments about Lane Johnson. The broadcaster made his public apology on October 8, 2026, following criticism of his earlier remarks.
Terrell Owens subsequently called for a suspension, while Kimberley A. Martin and Emmanuel Acho had challenged aspects of Smith’s original commentary. The responses highlighted differing views about accountability when discussing athletes’ mental health.
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Do you agree with Terrell Owens that ESPN should suspend Stephen A. Smith over his comments about Lane Johnson? Share your opinion in the comments below.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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