NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Stephen A. Smith may marvel at the skills of golfers and NASCAR drivers, but he praises them cautiously.
Smith said professionals are “elite at what they do,” but he draws the line when describing them.
On his SiriusXM show, while discussing some of the greatest athletes of all time, a caller suggested NASCAR legend Richard Petty, and Smith had no choice but to rant.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Stephen A. Smith watches from the field during warmups before the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 3, 2025. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“Come on, man. That doesn’t count. You drive a car!” Smith started, via Awful Anning. “I’m being honest, it’s a great sport. But come on, brother. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same.
“You can be behind the wheel of a car between the ages of 60 and 70, for God’s sake.”
Smith also implied that “just because you have to walk the 18-hole course for four days doesn’t make you an athlete.”
Host Stephen A. Smith speaks with Senator Ted Cruz at a SiriusXM Town Hall event at SiriusXM Studio in Washington, DC, on November 19, 2025. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
STEPHEN A SMITH SAYS HE BELIEVES DIANNA RUSSINI AND MIKE VRABEL ARE INNOCENT, FOR NOW
“They’re skilled players, they’re elite at what they do. But athletes? Athletes? Are you kidding me? Walking is the last sport you want to turn into an Olympic sport? Because I guess that would make them athletic, right?” Smith continued.
“Because they can walk. If you’re out there doing things that grandmas and grandpas can do, I’m not going to look at you that way. You’re skilled, you have phenomenal ability as a golfer… but that’s not an athletic sport.”
Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Smith, however, made an exception for 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, not necessarily because of his golf skills, but simply his overall build and athleticism.
