Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith Deserves To Retire A Panther

By Raphael Garcia | Aug 11, 2015

Major news dropped when Baltimore Ravens wide out Steve Smith announced he was planning on retiring at the end of the 2015 season. While this news has an immediate impact on the city of Baltimore and their Ravens, the Carolina Panthers should do whatever is needed to enshrine Smith’s years of service to the franchise. Even though the breakup was ugly, the Panthers franchise should make an effort to retire Smith’s number within their ranks.

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Smith revealed the information to both teammates and reporters on Monday.

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“I just feel like it’s time,” Smith said as reported by Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. “I don’t want to hold on. I said in the summer, Jerry Rice is the best receiver to ever play. I don’t believe that chasing whatever it is to chase for four more years would be conducive to my family or be conducive to me. I would be having to give up something. I would be jeopardizing something. I don’t know what that is, and I don’t have any intentions of finding out.”

At 36-years of age Smith has been an impact player for many of his 14 seasons in the league. He was drafted by the Panthers and played for them until being released by the team at the end of the 2014 season.

During his time there he was one of the most productive players on the organization’s roster. Pro-Football Reference has Smith ranked as the top player in organizational history. He is the all-time receiving leader for the team with 12,197 yards. His career total hit 13,262 yards with 73 touchdowns. He is the third ranked active receiver in the league and 14 on the all-time ladder

Smith is known as an ultra-competitive player on the field who had an ability to player much larger than his 5’9 and 185 pound frame. His speed allowed him to be a constant threat to break a short yardage play into a major gain down the field.

Sep 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) shakes hands with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) after their game at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Still, that competitiveness often reared its head in other ways as well. Three times in his career he was involved with fights against teammates. In 2002 he broke the nose of Anthony Bright which resulted in Smith being arrested and suspended from one game. Even on the field he was involved in multiple incidents that stemmed from intense play and trash talking.

With Smith was released from the Panthers at the end of the 2014 season, many fans expressed discontent with the move.

“It is devastating to hear and know that you’re getting fired, but it’s also exciting because that frees me up to obviously be pursued by other teams,” Smith said after hearing news that his position on the team would be reviewed in the ESPN report by David Newton.

Smith deserves some sort of recognition for the way his performances as a Panther. He is a key reason the Panthers made it to the 2003 Super Bowl. He was a vital weapon for Jake Delhomme and helped Cam Newton transition into the role as franchise quarterback. It will be an unfortunate mistake if the organization allows Smith to retire from the NFL without identifying his contributions to the Panthers’ success.

Next: The Impact Of Chris Houston's Retirement

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