{"id":619629,"date":"2026-04-21T21:22:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/619629\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T21:22:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:22:10","slug":"stephen-a-smith-argues-golfers-and-nascar-drivers-arent-athletes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/619629\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A Smith argues golfers and NASCAR drivers aren’t athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith<\/a> might marvel at the skills of golfers and NASCAR drivers, but he praises them with caution.<\/p>\n

Smith said the professionals are “elite at what they do,” but he is drawing a line when describing them.<\/p>\n

On his SiriusXM show, while debating some of the greatest athletes of all time, a caller suggested NASCAR<\/a> legend Richard Petty, and Smith launched into a rant.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Stephen <\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith during warmups before a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Nov. 3, 2025. (Perry Knotts\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

“Come on, man. That don\u2019t count. You driving a car!” Smith began, via Awful Announcing<\/a>. “I\u2019m being honest. It\u2019s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same.<\/p>\n

“You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s for crying out loud.”<\/p>\n

Smith also insinuated that “just because you gotta walk the course for 18 holes for four days, that don\u2019t make you an athlete.”<\/p>\n

\"Host <\/p>\n

Host Stephen A. Smith speaks with Sen. Ted Cruz at a SiriusXM Town Hall event at SiriusXM Studio in Washington, D.C., Nov. 19, 2025. (Paul Morigi\/Getty Images for SiriusXM)<\/p>\n

STEPHEN A SMITH SAYS HE BELIEVES DIANNA RUSSINI AND MIKE VRABEL ARE INNOCENT – FOR NOW<\/a><\/p>\n

“They\u2019re skilled players, they\u2019re elite at what they do. But athletes? Athletes? Are you kidding me? Is walking the latest sport that you want to turn into an Olympic<\/a> sport? Because I guess that would make them athletic, right?” Smith continued.<\/p>\n

“Because they can walk. If you\u2019re out there doing stuff that grandmas and grandpas can do, I\u2019m not gonna look at you that way. You\u2019re skilled, you\u2019re phenomenally skilled as a golfer \u2026 but that is not an athletic sport.”<\/p>\n

\"Stephen <\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms\/WWE)<\/p>\n

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Smith, though, did make an exception for 15-time major champion Tiger Woods \u2014 not<\/a> necessarily due to his golf skills, but because of his build and athleticism in general.<\/p>\n

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