Stephen A. Smith confuses Texas star Christian Kirk with Charlie Kirk

Stephen A. Smith was forced to make a quick recovery on air after mistaking the NFL star Christian Kirk for late political commentator Charlie Kirk.

Smith, 58, was recapping the playoff game between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers during the Tuesday, Jan. 13 episode of ESPN’s First recording when the awkward confusion occurred.

“We saw Charlie Kirk receive eight receptions for 144 yards,” Smith stated before being corrected by the host Shae Pepper Cornette.

Smith then continued, saying, “I’m sorry, I apologize. Oh, my God, I meant Christian Kirk.”

The 29-year-old wide receiver helped the Texans to a 30-6 win over Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers on Monday, January 12. The Texans continue their journey to the Super Bowl this Sunday, January 18, when they play the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round.

Charlie, meanwhile, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University in September 2025. He was 31 years old.

The co-founder of Turning Point USA was a polarizing figure, sparking widespread conversation about his beliefs after his death. Smith previously spoke about 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 31. That his wife is a widow. That his children are fatherless because his ideas and beliefs apparently differed from someone else’s. And then I go online and I see people celebrating it. Shame on you! Shame on you!”

Smith then praised the New York Yankees, who recently held a moment of silence in Charlie’s honor before a game against the Detroit Tigers.

“Kudos to the New York Yankees organization last night for the moment of silence,” Smith continued. “We’re not supposed to condone this stuff. We’re not supposed to say it’s okay. I don’t care who you are – black, white or anything in between. I hope the FBI and law enforcement catch this person and do what needs to be done to him.”

Charlie is survived by his wife, Erika Kirkand their two young children.

Erika, 37, has been open about her grief – and the response to her frequent public appearances in honor of 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 preserving our traditions, mixed with creating new traditions 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, once again, remained the world, I loved settling into a space of continued healing where silence is golden and a statement in itself. The outpouring of our loved ones has been a sacred balm to our hearts.”

She added: “Again, life is different now, and to be honest, sometimes painful. But God is still so good. Merry Christmas Charlie, darling. Thank you for your love notes from heaven. I cherish them all.”