All-time great Philadelphia Eagle Lane Johnson suddenly announced his retirement on Tuesday, stepping away from the game in order to focus on his mental health. Many football fans respected Johnson's decision, celebrating his 14-year career that yielded six Pro-Bowl selections, two First Team All-Pro honors and two Super Bowl championship titles. However, ESPN broadcast personality Stephen A.
Smith chose to criticize Johnson's decision. Not in the offseason. ... 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 on "First Take." Smith's statement sparked fierce backlash from around the NFL world.
"This is incredibly insensitive to Lane Johnson's current family situation, and quite frankly it's pretty appalling," NFL analyst Brett Kollmann wrote. "What a [expletive] take. Clearly has no idea why he retired or any backstory," former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz added.
"Uninformed insensitive clown take from an uninformed insensitive clown, what’s new," another fan said. "Everyone involved with this show should be embarrassed by this," another wrote. Later in the show, Smith backpedaled on his take.
"Let me be very, very clear and specific about what I'm saying, I would never make light of mental health issues," he said. The 2-2 Eagles will look to get back on track in an international matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London this coming Sunday.
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