Not backing down.
Stephen A. Smith started quite the firestorm in the NASCAR community last week when he dismissed NASCAR drivers by claiming that they’re not “athletes.”
During a discussion on his Mad Dog Sports Radio show on SiriusXM, Smith was discussing NBA star LeBron James and where he ranks on the list of all-time great athletes when it comes to longevity. And later on in the show, someone suggested that 7-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty should be on that list with his 200 wins. Stephen A. Smith, though, wasn’t having it:
“Come on man. That don’t count. You driving a car. I’m being honest. It’s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same.”
He also said that he doesn’t consider NASCAR drivers – or golfers – “athletes.”
“You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s for crying out loud. A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete. That’s just not true, we are not gonna act like it is. Just because you gotta walk the course for 18 holes for four days, that don’t make you an athlete. …
They’re skilled players, they’re elite at what they do. But athletes? Athletes? Are you kidding me?”
Well obviously his comments didn’t sit well with the NASCAR community. One NASCAR Cup Series team even invited Smith to the track for a ride along to prove that their drivers are, in fact, athletes:
“Stephen A., what’s going on, my man? We heard that ABSOLUTELY PREPOSTEROUS take of yours claiming NASCAR drivers aren’t athletes, and quite frankly, we were stunned. Stunned! So here’s what we’re gonna do; we’re inviting you to step out of that studio, come down here, and hop in for a ride-along with one of our three Cup Series drivers. Then you can tell the world how ‘not athletic’ it feels going 180 miles per hour, pulling G-forces, and fighting that wheel for three straight hours. We’ll be waiting.”
Well Smith’s comments were all the buzz this past weekend while NASCAR was at Talladega, with NASCAR on FOX broadcaster Mike Joy even bringing them up during the broadcast. And several drivers were asked for their response, including the driver of the #22 car for Team Penske, Joey Logano.
“I think people like that have to make comments to stay relevant. That’s part of their game, they gotta make big moments and things so people watch. He got exactly what he wanted. He got you talking about it, the whole industry talking about it, and now he’s relevant.
I mean, I don’t put much weight into it personally because he’s never driven a race car. I mean, I personally believe that we’re athletes because it’s, you know, the mental aspect is important. Obviously, the physical piece is very challenging inside the race car that not many people can understand.
So I don’t think I need to defend it personally, but I think it’s just a way for people like that to stay keeping the job.”
The sentiment was much the same throughout the garage, with most drivers dismissing the comments as someone spouting off about something they know nothing about.
And yesterday, Smith responded to the comments from Logano – by doubling down on his belief that he’s not an athlete:
“Let me speak directly to Mr. Joey Logano, ok? I don’t know you from a can of paint. Obviously you’re a very successful NASCAR driver. You compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. You’re 35 years of age. You’re a three time champion. You’re great at what you do, bro.”
Was he just reading from his Wikipedia page? I guess he wasn’t kidding when he said he didn’t know anything about Logano.
Anyway, Smith remained firm in his belief that, despite his impressive resumé, he still doesn’t consider Logano an athlete:
“If you want to disagree with me, let me help you, and you help me, make the world a better place.
Why can’t I just have an opinion about NASCAR? Why do I have to be doing it to stay relevant? My television show has been number one in the morning for 14 straight years. I’m on television and radio and my career spans 30 years. What do you mean to get a job or to keep a job?
Check the news. Google me. I don’t have that concern. I’ve been blessed by God enough not to have that concern at this point in time in my life sir.
Why can’t I just have an opinion about if you want to disagree with me, Joey Logano, disagree?”
Smith then went on to claim that he didn’t believe he was being disrespectful with his comments…although it sounds pretty disrespectful to me to dismiss the drivers as not being athletes.
“I don’t watch the sport like that. I respect the fact that you’re a three-time champ. I respect champions in anything because it takes elite performances to be a champion in everything.”
So he’s admitting he has no idea what he’s talking about? How do you have an opinion when you don’t watch the sport?
“I didn’t disrespect the sport in my opinion. I didn’t say it wasn’t a sport that people shouldn’t watch and celebrate. I didn’t say that a fan base shouldn’t pay any attention to the sport and don’t support the sport. All I was saying was I don’t think people, even though there are plenty of athletes in every sport, I don’t think every sport involves athleticism.
That’s all I said.”
He also made it clear he didn’t appreciate Logano taking a shot at his career:
“You’re coming out with that kind of comment? Why? Why, sir? Why?
I need to say something to be relevant? Do I look like somebody that needs to be relevant? I am relevant.
I have a show that airs nationwide every weekday for two hours on radio after I have a national number one morning show on television for two hours every day for the last 14 years. What are you talking about?
This is the problem. Can we grow up? Can we grow up?
If you disagree, you disagree. Why do I have to be saying something for effect?”
Sounds like this is one where they’re just going to have to agree to disagree…although I have a feeling if he sat down with NASCAR team owner Michael Jordan or actually took a lap around the track in a race car, he would change his mind.
Maybe he should “watch the sport like that” before he gives his opinion on it.
