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Stephen A. Smith Sends Strong Message on Tiger Woods After Devastating Injury News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 6:13 PM ET

Devastating news struck the sports and golf world on Tuesday when legendary golfer and 49 year old Tiger Woods suffered a ruptured Achilles while ramping up his training to return to the course after a brief hiatus away after rehabbing his back surgery in 2024, and stepping away from the game from a PGA level after the passing of his mother Kultida Woods.

However, Woods has still been participating in his TGL League, which he founded and created alongside pro golfer Rory McIlroy. They are on the cusp of wrapping up their inaugural season. The playoffs are set to begin on March 17.

Yet, now, after undergoing surgery, Woods is expected to make a full recovery, which he revealed when he publicized the injury on Tuesday afternoon.

"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," Woods revealed. "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. "The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery," added Dr. Stucken.

"I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support."

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… pic.twitter.com/KAVZfcRxlE
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 11, 2025

On Wednesday, ESPN "First Take" analyst Stephen A. Smith made a bold statement about Tiger Woods, suggesting that he "can't do it anymore," despite Woods' history of coming back from multiple injuries throughout his career.

"I mean no disrespect... but to me, Tiger Woods is a recreational golfer at this point. We know he's the all-time greatest, we get that, but his health is so bad. He's gone through so many physical setbacks," Smith said. "He can't do it anymore; it's just that simple."

"To me, Tiger Woods is a recreational golfer at this point."

Tiger is an "all-time great" but @stephenasmith believes "he can't do it anymore." pic.twitter.com/x6gnpjrxOa
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 12, 2025

Smith highlighted that the biggest issue with Woods right now is his inability to compete and walk an 18-hole course over four days, from Thursday to Sunday. The main concern, according to Smith, is whether Woods can hold up physically throughout that four-day span, rather than any worries about his actual production or talent as a golfer.

Woods is expected to attempt a return to the course, but the unfortunate part is that he will now miss the Masters Tournament in April. His current timetable for a return remains unknown.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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