Stephen A. Smith Blasts Tiger Woods Over DUI Arrest, Demands He Seek Help
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith unleashed a fiery critique of Tiger Woods on Tuesday, following the legendary golfer's arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Florida last week. This incident marks the second time Woods has faced a DUI arrest not involving alcohol since 2017, highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior.
A Pattern of Impaired Driving Incidents
Appearing on Chris Cuomo's NewsNation program, Smith emphasized that Woods "desperately" needs assistance. He pointed to a series of auto-related mishaps over the years, including a 2009 crash into a fire hydrant, a single-car rollover in February 2021, and the 2017 incident where Woods was found asleep in his car on the roadside.
"You had this problem in 2017 when they found you asleep in your car on the side of the road. You had this problem in 2021 when you crashed into a tree and tumbled over and almost got yourself killed," Smith stated. "You had this issue again last Friday. All three times, you're inebriated and you're behind the wheel of a car."
Smith Questions Woods' Choices and Legal Treatment
Smith argued that the situation was entirely avoidable, noting that Woods, as the second-highest-paid athlete of all time behind Michael Jordan, has the means to hire a car service. "What the hell are you doing getting behind the wheel of a car?" he decried. He also suggested that Woods has received lenient treatment from authorities, referencing the 2021 crash where no charges were filed and no breathalyzer or blood tests were conducted.
"Most of us would be in jail. Remember the second incident in 2021. They didn't even — they didn't charge him. They didn't make him take an alcohol, you know, breathalyzer test. They didn't test his blood, any of that stuff. He was hospitalized. They left him alone," Smith added.
Details of the Recent Arrest and Public Backlash
Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a rollover crash on Jupiter Island, Florida, around 2 p.m. last Friday. The Martin County Sheriff reported he was driving at "high speeds" on a residential road. While a Breathalyzer test showed no alcohol, Woods refused a urine test and was taken into custody. TMZ reported that authorities found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket, and a deputy described him as "lethargic and slow" with "severe signs of impairment," according to an affidavit.
Smith contended that the public is growing weary of Woods' legal run-ins, believing he has "gotten away with a lot." "And they're sick and tired of it, because they're saying, 'What is it going to take? Is he going to kill someone?'" he remarked, adding that such harsh criticism toward Woods was once unthinkable.
Continued Criticism and Calls for Change
This wasn't Smith's first rebuke of Woods this week. On Monday's episode of his Sirius XM show, he urged the golfer to address his issues. "My brother, you got issues with drugs ... Stop getting behind the damn wheel! ... Just stop before you do something you can't come back from," he implored.
The repeated incidents underscore concerns about Woods' well-being and public safety, as Smith's comments reflect a broader call for accountability and intervention in the face of ongoing impaired driving allegations.
