Stephen A. Smith mistakenly leaked something on the air during a replay of the Houston Texans’ playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
on tuesday’s show First take, The sports analyst breaks down the Texans’ 30-6 win, thanks to the team’s defense and quarterback CJ Stroud’s 46-yard pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk. Overall, Kirk finished the game with eight receptions, 144 receiving yards and a touchdown, setting postseason records.
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However, when Smith tried to give Kirk the proper honor, he accidentally confused his name with that of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September 2025 while speaking to students at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was hit in the neck by an assassin’s bullet fired from a nearby rooftop, and the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested after a foot pursuit.
“We saw Charlie Kirk catch eight catches for 144 yards,” Smith said during a previous broadcast. first shoot Host Shae Peppler Cornette quickly stepped in to correct him.
“I’m sorry, I apologize,” Smith said. “Oh my god, I mean Christian Kirk.”
Stephen A. Smith mistakenly refers to Christian Kirk as Charlie Kirk while reviewing Monday Night Football (Getty Images)
The mistake quickly went viral, with viewers mostly laughing at Smith’s blatant mistake.
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“This is an absolutely unforgivable mistake by @stephenasmith. How could such a fumble happen? Charlie Kirk is clearly a quarterback, not a receiver,” one X user joked.
“Stephen A.’s line was mixed up haha,” another person pointed out, while someone else said, “Bruch, how do you continue your point after that.”
Others were less kind, with one writing on X: “Stephen A. Smith’s sports coverage is becoming intertwined with his political ambitions.”
Smith is one of many people who have spoken out about the political activist’s death.
“I don’t care what his political beliefs are. I don’t care how he feels,” he said at the time. “He died at the age of 31. His wife was a widow. His children had no father because his ideas and beliefs were clearly different from everyone else’s. Then I went online and I saw people celebrating. Shame! Shame on you!”
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Smith has previously been outspoken about politics and even hinted at a possible presidential run, saying last year he was “keeping all doors open” hills.
Stephen A. Smith quickly apologizes for on-air error (Getty)
However, in June 2025, he told Jon Stewart daily showhe prefers to be a “Hell Messenger” and does not plan to run for president in 2028.
“The way I see it, the money that I’ve worked my ass off for all these years, I have to please, that means I’m going to be owned. And I’m not, so I’m not interested in that at all,” he said at the time.
Smith said he is more interested in being a voice for change than filling a seat in the Oval Office.
“I want to be a major voice and channel for change,” he continued. “I want to make sure people know this nonsense has to stop!”
