“Not Athletes!” Stephen A. Smith Disrespects NASCAR Drivers

Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has found himself in hot waters after claiming NASCAR drivers and golfers are not realm athlete.

“Not Athletes!” Stephen A. Smith Disrespects NASCAR Drivers

Stephen A. Smith (Image credits - The New York Times)

TV Broadcaster Stephen A. Smith made a name for himself in the entertainment industry with his wild and outrageous takes on NBA. Over the last few years, he has expanded his shows and has made comments about other sports, including motorsports. The most recent controversy involving the veteran was over NASCAR and Golf.

While talking about NBA legend Lebron James’ career longevity on his SiriusXM show, one caller told Smith that Richard Petty deserved to be named alongside all-time great athletes considering the veteran won championship at 42 and his 200th career win in the top-division came when he was 47. The veteran didn’t like the take and called it out claiming racers are not athlete.

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.

Stephen A. Smith responded to the caller.

He defended his claim by highlighting how a person car race in the 60’s and 70’s because the primary skill required is driving. Stephen A. Smith also took a shot at golfers, highlighting they are also not athletes, highlighting how walking to each hole during the game isn’t considered athletic enough by the veteran.

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. Just because you gotta walk the course for 18 holes for four days, that don’t make you an athlete.

Stephen A Smith added via Awful Announcing.

He further pointed out that he doesn’t consider NASCAR drivers athletes despite it being a great sport because he doesn’t thing driving 100mph around the track 500 times isn’t what an athlete does. The entertainer doesn’t seem to understand how much effort it takes to an elite level racer, as the optics doesn’t represent it.

NASCAR is a sport, are they athletes to because they can get behind the wheel of a car and drive 100-plus mph around the track 500 times, you trying to tell me they’re athletes too?

Stephen A Smith asserted.

Front Row Motorsports calls out Stephen A Smith over the viral claims

NASCAR team Front Row Motorsports didn’t like the take from the controversial figure and was quick to call him out via a post on Instagram. They shared a message they sent to Smith, calling his comment absolutely preposterous and inviting him to have a real time experience in a car that’s going 180-miles on the track for three hours.

Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith (Via ESPN)

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.

Front Row Motorsports on Instagram.

The real reason for the disrespecting comments from Smith is the fact that he doesn’t see the real challenges drivers go through, unlike NBA or NFL the physicality is shown. NASCAR drivers are highly trained sports specific athletes, who drivers for three hours in 50–60°C (120–140°F) cockpit and survives 5G forces in four corner every lap for over three hours at the speed above 180+mph. These challenges are something only a real athlete can endure.

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