NFL legend Terrell Owens calls for ESPN to suspend Stephen A. Smith

Some fans thought Smith was being incredibly insensitive about mental health concerns.

With that being said, Owens called out Smith on his “Get TO The Point” podcast. He found it disappointing that the face of ESPN’s “First Take” was willing to be so dismissive of Johnson’s life away from the gridiron.

“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,” Owens said. “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. If you knew that, then you’re smart enough not to speak on something affecting millions of people, millions of people, and something that’s a very sensitive topic.

“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.”

Stephen A. Smith has apologized to Lane Johnson

Well before Owens called out Smith on his podcast, the outspoken ESPN personality owned up to his mistake.

“People misconstrued me minimizing mental health,” Smith said. “I’m not only sensitive to mental health issues, I’m very aware of it. I wasn’t talking about [Lane Johnson] and mental health. I was talking about how the Eagles, and how chaotic their situation is, can drive you to it.”

Smith reiterated on “First Take” last Thursday that he handled this situation poorly.

“My intent was joking about the Eagles. Bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter what my intent was; it’s how it’s perceived. I messed up.”

As of this moment, it doesn’t sound like ESPN will discipline Smith for his controversial comments.