Stephen A. Smith shames NFL player about Mental Health; Episode 281

Vote for Bas!! Top host competition. Winner gets $25,000; 6 podcast episdoes produced by IHeartRadio and be interviewed by Ryan Seacrest. Use the link to vote for Bas. https://tophost.org/2026/basiliso-moreno Hosting a financial webinar "What Abuelo/Abuela didn't teach you about money" on Thursday October 21st 7:30pm. $35. Each registrant will get an autographed copy of my upcoming book "The Wealth They Couldn't Take: Use this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-abuelo-abuela-didnt-teach-you-about-money-tickets-2002919941462?aff=oddtdtcreator What happens when an athlete speaks openly about mental health—and a national sports show turns that decision into a joke? In this episode of The Social Work Rants Podcast, host Bas Moreno discusses Philadelphia Eagles player Lane Johnson’s retirement and Stephen A. Smith’s comments about Johnson’s decision to prioritize his mental health and family. Bas examines why those remarks matter, what a public apology can and cannot repair, and how influential voices can reinforce mental health stigma. This conversation reaches beyond football. Bas reflects on the pressure athletes face, the personal struggles people carry outside of work, and his own experiences with grief, therapy, and caregiving. Ahead of World Mental Health Day, he makes the case for giving people privacy and respect when they say they need help. Whether you’re a sports fan, social worker, mental health professional, or caregiver, this episode asks a question worth considering: How do we respond when someone chooses their well-being? Subscribe to The Social Work Rants Podcast on YouTube, follow the show on Instagram @thesocialworkrantspodcast, and leave a rating or comment wherever you listen.