Stephen A Smith questions Tiger Woods after DUI arrest as driver refusal and privacy stance raise serious concerns(Image via Getty)
Stephen A. Smith has spoken openly about Tiger Woods, and this time his words came right after the golf star’s recent DUI arrest. The incident happened near Woods’ home in Jupiter, Florida, where his car crashed and police later found signs that he was not fully in control.
Even though Woods denied being drunk and passed a breath test, officers said he showed signs of impairment and found pills in his possession. Soon after, Woods said he would step away and focus on recovery. But as the story grew, one detail caught attention, a report by People.com claimed Woods does not want to hire a driver because he values his privacy.That detail is what pushed Smith to question Woods publicly. Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, he raised concerns about Woods’ past driving history and the risks involved.
Stephen A. Smith questions Tiger Woods’ decision and raises concerns over privacy and repeated driving issues
Stephen A. Smith did not hold back while talking about Tiger Woods. He reminded viewers that Woods has had multiple driving-related incidents.“You’ve been behind the wheel of a vehicle inebriated three times,” Smith said. “You know, ain’t nobody trying to know all your business. What we want to know is that you ain’t gonna get behind the wheel of a car when you’re inebriated. You’re lucky you didn’t kill somebody.”He then focused on the report about Woods not wanting a driver.
“You must have a very highly suspect life if you, as a billionaire, don’t even want to hire a driver,” Smith added.“You want your privacy? Privacy from what? What’s the driver going to do? Because he dropped you off someplace, he’ll know where he dropped you off? I mean, what are you trying to hide?” His comments quickly became a big talking point, especially because Woods had just said he wants to focus on his health and recovery.
Scott Van Pelt shifts focus to Tiger Woods’ health, personal loss, and need for support before golf return
While Smith questioned Woods, Scott Van Pelt took a softer and more personal approach. Speaking on ESPN, he made it clear that golf should not be the main concern right now.“I have to be honest, after what happened, I don’t care if I see him next week,” Van Pelt said.“I care that the human being I’ve known for all these years is well. Whatever needs to happen, I hope it does.”He also spoke about the emotional and physical toll Woods has faced recently, including the loss of his mother, Kultida Woods.“He’s gone through a significant loss in the last year and a half of his mom,” he said.“He’s going through a cycle of injury and rehab and the toll that that takes. And, this is another accident.”Van Pelt added that he hopes people close to Woods step in and help him.“I hope that whoever is close enough to him to have whatever conversation needs to be had about whatever help might be needed, that that is had.”As ESPN prepares for Masters coverage, Van Pelt said more details about the situation would help shape better discussions, but he stressed that Woods’ well-being matters more than anything else right now.
