On Tuesday”s episode of ESPN”s “First Take,” host Stephen A. Smith made an awkward slip when he confused Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk with the late conservative figure Charlie Kirk. While analyzing the Texans” impressive 30-6 playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith incorrectly stated, “We saw Charlie Kirk catch eight receptions for 144 yards.” This error was quickly pointed out by his co-host, prompting a quick apology from Smith.
“I apologize. Oh my God. Christian Kirk,” he corrected himself, acknowledging the mix-up. The reference to Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, resonates deeply as he was tragically assassinated in September 2025 during a campus debate event organized by TPUSA.
In the playoff game, Christian Kirk delivered a standout performance, achieving his best game of the season just when the Texans needed it most. Throughout the regular season, he struggled to surpass four receptions or 64 receiving yards in any game, making his playoff performance all the more remarkable.
Kirk”s contributions were crucial, as he led the Texans with eight receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown against Pittsburgh. Looking ahead, Houston will rely on Kirk in the upcoming divisional round, especially given that star wide receiver Nico Collins left Monday”s game with a concussion.
Collins, a two-time Pro Bowler, had a strong regular season, recording 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. His chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud has been evident throughout the season. Should Collins fail to clear concussion protocol before their match against the New England Patriots on Sunday, the Texans” offense could face significant challenges.
In such a scenario, Stroud will likely lean heavily on Kirk, along with wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Xavier Hutchinson, and tight end Dalton Schultz. The Texans, seeded fifth, are set to take on the second-seeded Patriots this Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM ET.
