Scotty McCreery Talks Olympics and Football, Ping-Pong and Patriots

If Scotty McCreery wasn’t a chart-topping singer-songwriter, one thing is for sure—he wouldn’t be an Olympian.

McCreery is known for his love of baseball and golf. But while celebrating his recent No. 1 song, “Cab In a Solo,” at BMI on Wednesday in Nashville, he laughed that if he were to ever compete in the Olympics, it would have to be in the least athletic event.

“I have won a championship in ping-pong (at a country radio conference),” McCreery said. “But I still see those folks playing ping-pong at the Olympics, and that is not what we were doing there at the convention. I know it’s crazy stuff, but ping-pong is probably the closest. I would get it back and forth.”

However, McCreery does enjoy watching the Olympics. He said he loves that everyone can unite for the Olympics every four years, no matter what is going on. Swimming is one of his favorite events to watch. He calls the 2008 4×100 relay race, which showcased the United States’ team, including Michael Phelps, unexpectedly besting the French swimmers for the gold medal.

Scotty McCreery: “It Was Like a ‘Where Were You’ Moment”

“It was like a ‘Where were you’ win moment for me and for a lot of us,” McCreery said. “I get excited.”

He’s not that picky about watching sports, though. He watched Sweden and Qatar play beach volleyball with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

“I was just getting hyped by that, even though I have no skin in the game,” he said. “It’s  like, ‘Oh man, this is great right there.’ So yeah, I love the Olympics.”

He’s also excited that football season is right around the corner. The singer said he was on tour last week, and it was blazing hot on the road. He looked at his drummer –  a huge Broncos fan – and said: “Joe, just close your eyes and imagine, it’s 62 degrees in the morning, you have a nice cup of coffee, we’re on the west coast, you have the TV on outside the bus and football is on in about two hours.”
McCreery said his drummer animatedly replied, “Oh buddy, we’re almost there.”

However, this football season may not be the most celebratory for McCreery and his family. They are dedicated Patriots fans.

“My whole life (the Patriots) were best in the world, and we’re no longer that,” he said. “I’m an NC State guy, and we just drafted a UNC quarterback so I’m in a tough spot. But I’m pumped for the season, and I’m pumped for football. Fall is my favorite time of year.”