Steve Smith is a Hall of Fame player in so many ways and not just the statistics.
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As Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer points out in an excellent recap of the entire situation, there’s a major stumbling block to Smith’s return: Panthers GM Dave Gettleman. At age 37, though, this will likely be the end of the road for Smith. “You never know. But he’s earned the right”. Smith has said that he is 89% done and still has 11% left in him. “If the first thing that comes out is, ‘Well it wasn’t personal, ‘ then guess what?”
Steve Smith has been disliked by many and revered by many more over his long National Football League career dating back to 2001. And Smith remains loyal to team owner Jerry Richardson, who has been like a father figure to him.
But Gettleman hasn’t forgotten Smith’s comments and isn’t likely to sign off on any ceremony honoring him. “I like to play football”, he said. Stick around. We’ve got all of the pre-game analysis before the match-up. “We do want to be 9-7”. Carolina would go one-and-done against in 2008 and 2013, spelling the end of Smith’s days in Charlotte.
There’s obvious respect for Smith, from Rivera to Newton.
He had announced he would retire following the 2015 season, but chose to give it another year after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury last November. Mike Wallace (984 yards, 68 catches) needs 16 yards for third career 1,000-yard season and 12th in Ravens history.
“His competitive nature and the way he plays his game and the talent that he has, he’s definitely unique and a rare breed”, Flacco said. But when I think about it, who else would I rather have out there on the field with me? You’ve got to prepare the same way because all you have to do (it) for is one more week for this season.
The Panthers’ current group of receivers could use some of Smith’s fire.
Smith put up a heartfelt message on Instagram following the Monday night loss on Christmas to the Steelers that summed up a lot of his time following being cut by Carolina. The difference was that Smith wasn’t 6-4 or 6-5 like the others.
If you don’t want to watch the Bengals’ final game of the season, that would be a shame.
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Always a team player, the prolific wide receiver helped lead the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance back in 2003 while reaching the postseason five times in all.
