Overview
- Stephen A. Smith, on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio last week, said NASCAR drivers and many golfers are not athletes because people can compete at older ages.
- NASCAR drivers answered during Talladega’s Saturday bullpen, with Joey Logano calling the take a bid to stay relevant and stressing the sport’s mental and physical strain.
- Fox play-by-play voice Mike Joy addressed the remarks during Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500 broadcast and urged the commentator to watch a racing sequence that shows athletic skill.
- Smith grouped golfers with drivers in his argument yet left room for exceptions by noting Tiger Woods could qualify based on fitness.
- The back-and-forth spread across outlets, and even critics said the reaction gave Smith the attention he sought by turning his claim into a broader media debate.