Stephen A. Smith Releases Statement After Rant About Lane Johnson Sparks Outrage

Stephen A. Smith has released a statement after his comments about Lane Johnson following the NFL All Pro’s retirement caused a major stir.

Johnson, a two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowler, decided to call time on his American Football career earlier this week.

The 36-year-old, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, was inactive for his side’s clash against the Los Angeles Rams in week 4. He announced his retirement from the sport following his side’s defeat.

He wrote in an emotional statement on Instagram: “I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season. But after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized that my personal and family priorities have changed. Right now it is critical that I focus on my mental health.

“I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game. And right now my heart is telling me that it’s time to say goodbye to football.”

Stephen A. Smith Called Out For Reaction to Lane Johnson’s Retirement

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Smith was not impressed with Johnson’s decision to call time on his NFL career. The 58-year-old said in a rant on First Take:

“One of the all-time great offensive linemen went and said ‘you know what, ‘I’m going to call it quits.’ Now, he calls it quits. Not before the season. Not in the offseason. No, no, no.

Smith went on to say that Johnson would never have walked away had the Eagles been performing well. With the NFC East side struggling, Smith accused the 36-year-old of retiring midway through the season to get away from a ‘very, very bad situation’ and mocked him for citing his mental health as the reason.

Smith’s comments have sparked outrage, with former NFL wide-receiver Torrey Smith among the big names that have called him out. The 37-year-old called his take ‘disrespectful’ and accused him of saying ‘b******* for clicks.’

Smith later apologised for his comments on his SiriusXM show.

He said: “People misconstrued me minimising mental health. I would never do that. Hell, I had mental health issues. In 2017, when my mother passed away, I spent two years with a level of misery I didn’t know existed. I sought and endured therapy, which rescued me. If it wasn’t for that, and the existence of my daughters, I don’t even know if I’d be here. That’s how bad I was.

“There were times that I saw nothing but black. I saw nothing but darkness. I was so captured by my own misery that I couldn’t break free. That’s why I went to therapy. I’m not only sensitive to mental health issues. I am very aware of it. I am very aware of it.

“I wasn’t talking about Lane Johnson and mental health. I was talking about how the Eagles and how chaotic this situation is can drive you to it. This is a top three tackle in the NFL. And yet, after week four of the season, this man said he’s had enough.”

After listing the Eagles’ current issues, Smith added: “Ladies and gentlemen, facetiously speaking, that kind of stress can take you down. That kind of stress can ravage your world. That kind of stress can make you say, ‘You know what? I don’t need this’.”

He concluded: “Congratulations to him on an illustrious career. He is a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer. Without question, he is something special.”