ride the bench vs athletics

ride the bench is not a noun while athletics is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
ride the bench	No	No	Yes	No
athletics	Yes	No	No	No

ride the bench (noun)	athletics (noun)
	an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
	participation in sports events as an extracurricular activity
	a contest between athletes

ride the bench (verb)	athletics (verb)
be out of the game