Stephen A. Smith rejects the greatness of Lightning McQueen
Stephen A. Smith: Lightning McQueen is Not the GOAT
ESPN personality and First Take host Stephen A. Smith made a bold declaration on The Stephen A. Smith Show, stating that Lightning McQueen is not the greatest of all time. The announcement came after a caller asked where the star of Disney’s Cars franchise ranks among the greatest athletes.
Caller: Where Does Lightning McQueen Rank?
“When you think about the GOAT of sports, you think about [Michael Jordan] with six, [Tom] Brady with seven rings, but where do you rank a guy like Lightning McQueen with seven Piston Cups?” asked the caller, identified as Danny from Wisconsin.
Smith quickly dismissed the notion of McQueen being the GOAT.
Stephen A. Smith: McQueen Can’t Be the GOAT
“You’re talking about the movie Cars, right?,” Smith said. “I mean when you talk about Strip ‘The King’ Weathers and Lightning McQueen, they’re both tied with seven Piston Cups. Strip Weathers? You forgot about him? How can you be the GOAT if you’ve got somebody that’s tied with you? Sorry, that ain’t gonna work. I know you tried to catch me with that … You didn’t think I knew about that, did you?”
“You slept on a brother!”
The caller, Danny, tried to defend McQueen by mentioning his 28 circuits, but Smith wasn’t convinced.
Stephen A. Smith: Strip Weathers Had Seven Piston Cups
“Strip Weathers has seven Piston Cups,” Smith retorted. “I’m not about to sit here and argue with a grown-a** man about the movie Cars. Strip Weathers had seven Piston Cups. You should have brought me somebody that didn’t have as many Piston Cups.”
Danny then argued that comparing McQueen to Weathers isn’t fair due to their respective eras, but Smith had a response.
Stephen A. Smith: Age Doesn’t Matter
“Danny, how old are you?” Smith replied.
“I’m 21, Stephen,” the caller said.
“You’re still a young man,” Smith declared. “What about Fast & Furious, you watch that movie?”
Danny confirmed that he watched Fast & Furious, and Smith used it as an example of a better topic for debate.
Stephen A. Smith: Let’s Talk Fast & Furious
“What I’m saying to you is I think you picked the right one, cause I liked Five a lot, I really, really did. My point is if you’re gonna argue with me about something, how about it not be an animated movie like Cars. How about it be something like Fast & Furious? I would have appreciated the question better.”
To read more from The Washington Examiner, click here.
How does Lightning McQueen’s impact on the animated film industry compare to other athletes’ impact on their respective fields?
En is Not the GOAT
“Look, I understand that Lightning McQueen has had an impressive career in the Piston Cup, but let’s not get carried away here,” Smith responded. “When we talk about the greatest of all time, we’re not just talking about championships. We’re talking about the impact an athlete has on their sport, their dominance, and the level of competition they face.” Smith went on to compare McQueen’s accomplishments to those of other athletes who are considered GOATs in their respective sports. “Take Michael Jordan for example. Not only did he win six championships, but he completely revolutionized the game of basketball. His impact on the sport cannot be understated. And let’s not forget about Tom Brady, who not only has seven Super Bowl rings, but he has consistently performed at an elite level for over two decades. McQueen simply does not meet the criteria to be considered the GOAT,” Smith explained. Smith also emphasized the level of competition faced by these athletes, something he believes McQueen lacks. “When you look at the competition Lightning McQueen faces in the Piston Cup, it simply does not compare to the level of competition faced by athletes in major sports. Yes, McQueen may have won seven Piston Cups, but how many of those racers are truly at the top of their game? How many of them have gone on to have storied careers? That’s what separates the GOATs from the rest,” Smith argued. Smith concluded his argument by acknowledging McQueen’s popularity and impact on the animated film industry, but maintained that this does not make him the GOAT in sports. “I’m not taking anything away from Lightning McQueen. He has certainly left his mark on the animated film industry and has become a beloved character for many. But when we talk about the GOAT, we have to consider the overall impact on their respective fields. McQueen simply does not have the same impact as the athletes we consider the greatest of all time,” Smith stated. Smith’s bold declaration sparked a debate among fans and analysts, with some agreeing that McQueen does not meet the criteria to be considered the GOAT, while others argued that his accomplishments in the Piston Cup cannot be ignored. Ultimately, the debate over whether Lightning McQueen deserves the title of the greatest of all time may never be settled. However, Stephen A. Smith’s assertion that McQueen is not the GOAT forces us to reconsider the criteria we use to define greatness and the impact an athlete has on their respective sport.
Stephen A. Smith: The Criteria for Being the GOAT
Stephen A. Smith: Competition Matters
Stephen A. Smith: McQueen’s Impact in Film
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