HOMESTEAD, Fla. - The NASCAR community lit up social media in reaction to former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb saying that Jimmie Johnson didn't need to be athletic to drive a racecar.
Speaking on the Fox Sports 1 show 'Fox Sports Live' late Friday night, McNabb declared Johnson is not an athlete.
Johnson, a five-time Cup champion and fitness fanatic, is the favorite to win his sixth Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
'Do I think he's an athlete?' McNabb said. 'Absolutely not. ... He's not an athlete. He sits in a car and he drives so that doesn't be athletic. I give him credit to what he's been able to do.'
McNabb's comments created a swell of reaction on social media - to the apparent joy of the network, which is playing the comment prominently on its website - in defense of Johnson.
It should be donated that in social media, Johnson has a strong following. As of 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Johnson had 497,143 followers on Twitter; McNabb had 43,310.
Johnson tweeted:
The debate continues... Everyone is entitled to an opinion. #DriversAreAthletes
- Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) November 16, 2013
And added:
I choose to be respectful. There is way too much venom spewed these days. @gumby61184 @jeff_gluck
- Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) November 16, 2013
Other drivers also reacted:
20+ yr debate. @NASCAR driver athlete? Never met a 'athlete' who actually drove a racecar that doubted it. Care to take a ride Donovan?
- Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) November 16, 2013
Jeff Burton (@JeffBurton) in a series of tweets: 'We need a cup owner to provide a current car, go to Bristol, put McNabb in for 500 laps by himself. Then ask if drivers are athletes #educate. I understand why people watch and it doesn't look athletic. The only way to prove it is to put people in 'real' cars and let them learn. Stating an opinion doesn't make McNabb a bad guy. Many believe the same thing. Gotta prove it before doubters will understand.'
My twitter lesson for the night- people get mad at topics that don't bother me And vise versa.
- Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) November 16, 2013
Wow @donovanjmcnabb really? Got to b an idiot. I'd like to see him keep up with @JimmieJohnson in a workout. And drive our cars for 500miles
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) November 16, 2013
NASCAR's Vice President of Communications Brett Jewkes (@BJewkes) also put in his 2cents: 'Not positive but believe year @donovanjmcnabb first appeared on cover of Men's Fitness was same year he delivered first world championship.'
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