Stephen A. Smith is slammed for ‘disrespectful’ Tiger Woods take after legend’s latest heartbreaking injury
Stephen A. Smith has declared Tiger Woods a ‘recreational golfer’ following his latest injury setback, and some golf fans did not appreciate the ESPN star’s harsh words for the golfer.
Woods announced on Tuesday that he had suffered an Achilles rupture and underwent surgery for the issue, which looks certain to keep him out of The Masters next month.
The injury – which follows six back surgeries in 10 years and a horrific 2021 car accident – has led to fears that he will retire and Smith echoed a similar sentiment as he bemoaned the 15-time major winner’s health issues.
‘I mean no disrespect. To me, Tiger Woods is a recreational golfer at this point,’ he said on First Take. ‘We know how he’s the all-time greatest, we get that. But his health is so bad. He’s gone through so many physical tragedies.
He later continued, ‘I literally look at Tiger Woods and I don’t even think about his game, you know what I think about? One day, because that’s all you got. You walk 18 holes, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – he ain’t making it.’
Smith’s comments did not go down well with some fans.
Tiger Woods was preparing for his latest comeback when he felt a ‘sharp pain’
Stephen A. Smith has referred to Woods as ‘recreational golfer’ following the Achilles injury
‘I mean no disrespect’ then proceeds to disrespect,’ one wrote on X.
‘Stephen A Smith is a recreational thinker. His brain only works about 1/16th of the time,’ a second fan chimed in.
‘The only thing you exercise is your big mouth,’ a third said.
A fourth fan offered Smith a backhanded compliment, saying, ‘The first correct statement he’s made in a very long time.
And a fifth X user disagreed with the analyst, calling Woods, ‘the most resilient athlete in my lifetime when it comes to recovering from numerous injuries. I’ll never count this man short.’
Woods almost lost his right leg in a 2021 car accident, and has previously torn the Achilles tendon in his right leg as well as rupturing ligaments in his left knee.
Woods has not played at Tour-level since The Open last summer, with back surgery accounting for much of his lay-off before he withdrew from the Genesis Invitational last month following the death of his mother.
There had been suggestions that he was lining up a return at the PGA Tour’s Players Championship in Florida this week, though he missed last Friday’s cut off to confirm his entry.
Woods revealed that he has suffered an Achilles rupture in a shock statement Tuesday
Woods, a two-time winner at The Players, has not played the PGA Tour’s flagship event since 2019.
The 15-time major winner was preparing for his latest comeback at home in Florida when he felt a ‘sharp pain’ in his left heel.
In a statement, Woods said: ‘As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured.
‘This morning, Dr. Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon.
‘I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support.’
Dr Stucken said: ‘The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery.’
