Stephen A. Smith was forced to make a quick recovery on the air after mistaking NFL star Christian Kirk for late political commentator Charlie Kirk.
Smith, 58, was recapping the Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game during the Tuesday, January 13, episode of ESPN’s First Take when the awkward mixup occurred.
“We saw Charlie Kirk catch eight receptions for 144 yards,” Smith declared before being corrected by host Shae Peppler Cornette.
Smith then continued, saying, “I’m sorry, I apologize. Oh, my God, I meant Christian Kirk.”
The 29-year-old wide receiver helped lead the Texans to a 30-6 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers on Monday, January 12. The Texans continue their path to the Super Bowl next Sunday, January 18, when they play the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round.
Charlie, meanwhile, was shot and killed at an event held at Utah Valley University in September 2025. He was 31 years old.
The Turning Point USA cofounder was a polarizing figure, sparking a widespread conversation about his beliefs in the wake of his death. Smith previously addressed the fatal shooting on his podcast in September 2025.
“I don’t care what his political beliefs were. I don’t care what he felt,” Smith said at the time. “That he’s dead at the age of 31. That his wife is a widow. That his children are fatherless because his ideas and his beliefs differed from somebody else, apparently. And then I’m going online, and I’m seeing people celebrating it. Shame! Shame on you!”
Smith went on to praise the New York Yankees, who had recently held a moment of silence in Charlie’s honor before a game against the Detroit Tigers.
“Props to the New York Yankees organization last night for having a moment of silence,” Smith continued. “We’re not supposed to condone stuff like this. We’re not supposed to say it’s OK. I don’t give a damn who you are — Black, white or anything in between. I hope the FBI and law enforcement catch this individual and do what needs to be done with him.”
Charlie is survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and their two young children.
Erika, 37, has been outspoken about her grief — and the reaction to her frequent public appearances honoring her late husband. Last month, she shared an emotional tribute to Charlie after celebrating the first Christmas since his death.
“Life is a little different,” she wrote via Instagram. “It’s this rhythm of maintaining our traditions mixed in with creating new ones to harmonize into a normalcy for the babies. It’s new, but strange. Familiar, but not. … This Christmas we tucked away. And while the world, again, kept being the world, I loved settling into a space of continued healing where silence is golden and is a statement in itself. The outpouring from our loved ones, has been a sacred and holy balm to our hearts.”
She added, “Again, life is different now, and to be honest at times painful. But God is still so good. Merry Christmas Charlie baby. Thank you for your love notes from Heaven. I cherish them all.”
