Stephen A Smith says he argued with Michael Jordan about whether NASCAR drivers are athletes
Stephen A. Smith saying that NASCAR drivers are not athletes has been one in all my favourite tales for fairly a while.
You’ve obtained somebody giving a demonstrably incorrect sizzling take, after which simply digging their heels in.
It’s all the pieces that is each nice and horrible about sports media rolled up in a single package deal.
NBA nice and NASCAR staff proprietor Michael Jordan reportedly referred to as Stephen A. Smith to elucidate why NASCAR drivers are athletes. (Scott Kinser-Imagn Images and Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
But, I assumed if there was one one that may break by way of to Stephen A. and level to the mountain of proof why NASCAR drivers — and racing drivers typically — are not simply athletes, however high-level, extremely skilled athletes, it could be Michael Jordan.
But I’d be mistaken.
Stephen A. has been referred to as out on this take by drivers like Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick, who introduced his personal in-car health monitoring data as proof. So, Smith, being the savvy media character he is, took this to his present.
That’s when, in keeping with Awful Announcinghe obtained a name from his Airness.
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Now, should you did not know, Jordan is a longtime NASCAR fan and co-owns one of many sport’s hottest groups proper now, 23XI Racing, with present Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin.
Surely, he may speak some sense into Stephen A.
Stephen A. Smith speaks onstage through the 2025 ForbesBLK Summit at Ray Charles Performing Arts Center Morehouse College on October 9, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
“You know who wanted to correct me about the NASCAR thing? Michael Jordan,” Smith mentioned on his SiriusXM. “Michael Jordan. I argued with him! Because that’s how I feel! I’m being honest. That’s how I feel. That’s all, it’s not a crime. That’s what makes radio and sports talk.”
All proper, so under no circumstances.
I imply, individuals are entitled to their opinions, however when somebody goes, “Here are several dozen reasons and examples why you’re wrong,” and also you stick with your weapons, you are simply being troublesome.
ESPN commentator and govt producer Stephen A. Smith is on set in New Orleans forward of Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 7, 2025. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
But keep in mind, it’s Stephen A. who’s beneath assault by way of all of this.
“Don’t you notice what we call the gang mentality?” Smith requested. “Where everybody in my line of work jumps on popular opinion so they are lumped in with the vast majority of people who feel the way they feel? That’s easy. The hard part is, ‘this is where I stand, and I genuinely feel this way, and here’s why.'”
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NASCAR drivers being athletes is not a well-liked opinion.
It simply is.
