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Terrell Owens is demanding accountability from ESPN after Stephen A. Smith faced backlash for his remarks about Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson's decision to retire and prioritize his mental health.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer believes Smith's apology shouldn't be the end of the controversy and wants the network to consider disciplinary action.
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Speaking on his Get TO the Point podcast, Owens questioned why the longtime sports commentator hadn't been suspended after discussing such a sensitive subject on national television.
Johnson announced his retirement on October 6, ending a 14-season career spent entirely with Philadelphia. The two-time Super Bowl champion explained that his priorities had changed, with his mental well-being and spending more time with his family becoming increasingly important.
The following day, Smith addressed Johnson's unexpected departure during ESPN's First Take. He questioned the timing of the decision and connected it to the Eagles' early-season struggles.
His remarks drew criticism, including from fellow ESPN personality Kimberley A. Martin, who challenged the way Johnson's situation was being discussed.
Smith subsequently apologized during the October 8 broadcast, acknowledging that his comments had made light of a serious mental health issue.
Owens questions ESPN's response to Smith's controversy
Owens isn't convinced that an apology is enough to resolve the situation. He believes ESPN should explain why Smith hasn't faced further consequences, especially given the network's influence and the reach of its most recognizable personalities.
“I don’t understand how there’s not any consequences to Stephen A.’s actions, especially with ESPN and Disney being the corporation, the business entity that they are, to speak so insensitive with a topic like mental health the way he did, why isn’t he suspended? Why?” said Owens.
“For him to speak so recklessly to a guy and then try to backtrack and say he’s had mental health issues, then if you knew that, then you’re smart enough to not speak on something affecting millions of people that’s a very sensitive topic.
“To feel like you have a microphone and a platform and be reckless with your words, he’s never played football. Maybe his mental is not the same as a football person’s mental.
“His stresses or whatever he’s going through up to leading where he is getting paid by ESPN, that mental doesn’t even compare to a football player’s mental and what we have to go through.”
Owens and Smith have had public disagreements in the past, adding another dimension to the criticism.
ESPN hasn't announced a suspension over Smith's remarks about Johnson. The absence of publicly announced disciplinary action has left questions about how the network feels about the incident and whether it considers the apology sufficient.