NFL legend Terrell Owens is stunned to see that ESPN and Disney have not punished Stephen A. Smith for recklessly mocking Lane Johnson’s mental health.
Philadelphia Eagles OT Lane Johnson called time on his NFL career after Week 3, citing personal and mental health-related reasons. This prompted Stephen A. Smith to lambast Johnson on First Take, mocking the 36-year-old’s mental health explanation.
The backlash from Smith’s comments prompted him to share an apology within 24 hours of First Take, but one where he also brought up his own struggles with mental health, something that Owens did not appreciate.
Terrell Owens wants ESPN to punish Stephen A. Smith
On the latest episode of the ‘Get TO The Point’ show, Owens openly criticised how Smith acted during that situation, questioning why ESPN or Disney neglected to punish the 59-year-old analyst for his reckless comments about Johnson.
“I don’t understand how there are no consequences for Stephen A.’s actions, especially with ESPN and Disney being the corporations they are, for him to speak so insensitively about a topic like mental health the way he did… Why isn’t he suspended? For him to speak so recklessly to a guy and then try to backtrack and say he’s had mental health issues.”
“He’s never played football. Maybe his mental is not the same as a football player’s mental. His stresses or whatever he’s going through to get to where he is, sitting behind a desk getting paid by ESPN, don’t compare to what a football player has to deal with.”
Owens is remembered as one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the sport, so it is unlikely that fans will question his credibility while making a comment like this.
Smith’s apology shows he understands that he went wrong with his reaction to Johnson’s retirement, which is probably why he escaped any official punishment.
Smith is one of ESPN’s most valuable commodities, so they will not take such a drastic move by suspending the veteran analyst. His years of experience will have earned him the benefit of the doubt at ESPN, so it’s unlikely that a punishment is handed down even after TO’s appeals.
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