Stephen A. Smith made quite the awkward on-air blunder while discussing the Houston Texans’ 30-6 playoff win Monday over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While recapping the matchup on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday, the sports commentator misidentified the Texans’ star wide receiver, Christian Kirk, as the late right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk.
“We saw Charlie Kirk catch eight receptions for 144 yards,” Smith said before co-host Shae Peppler Cornette interjected to remind him: “Christian Kirk.”
Smith quickly corrected himself. “I’m sorry, I apologize. Oh, my God, Christian Kirk.”
The verbal slip, which was shared on X by the sports media account Awful Announcing, has already racked up more than 11 million views.
