Panther wide receiver Steve Smith said Wednesday he now regrets telling the media that he had “lit into” Cam Newton Thursday night, but said he doesn’t regret the original conversation with Newton.
“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Smith said, clarifying later that he meant he shouldn’t have said anything to the media, not to Newton. “So that really falls on me. Hey, sometimes when you try to help, you do more harm than good.”
Smith, a team captain, had approached Newton on the bench Thursday night during the Panthers’ 36-7 loss to the New York Giants. He was upset that Newton was sitting alone on the bench instead of standing by the coaches, taking “mental reps” and paying more attention to what was going on when Derek Anderson quarterbacked the team during the final few minutes with the game out of hand.
Coach Ron Rivera said earlier this week he wished that Smith had kept the resulting conversation private instead of answering reporters’ questions about it. Smith said Friday, among other things: “If I am afraid to say something, who will? The same way if I'm afraid to teach a son from mistakes, I can't expect somebody else to be that. So yeah, I got into him, I lit into him, because I thought it was an opportunity for him to see and understand what's going on. This is more than about playing football. It's about becoming a man.”
Newton said Wednesday he looked up to Smith like he was his “big brother” and that their relationship was fine. Smith said much the same thing Wednesday as the 1-2 team continued preparation for its road game against 3-0 Atlanta Sunday.
“We’re good,” Smith said. “Hey, I look at him as a big little brother. You’re going to fight. You’re going to spat. But you’ll always be able to come back to it.”
-- On a totally different subject, Smith said there was no way that Golden Tate caught the disputed touchdown ball in Seattle’s last-second win over Green Bay Monday night. Said Smith: "Hey, I’m a wide receiver and I’m always rooting for a wideout, but that wasn’t no catch."
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9 years ago
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9 comments:
"Wasn't no catch" equate to that was a catch?
I'm curious. Steve Smith being a fellow teammate and all. If he asked Cam Newton for his autograph, would he be charged $125for it?
Whats wrong with the bill on Smiths hat?
I wonder who pressured him into saying this? Steve is a great guy who sometimes lets his passion get the best of him, like so many of us. I had the pleasure of watching Mr. Smith donate his time yesterday to Samaritans feet and helped me and about 30 other volunteers serve roughly 450 elementary school kids at a very poor school in Gastonia by washing their feet and then giving them new shoes and socks and encouraging these kids to follow their dreams. It was an amazing day. Steve, much respect sir. God Speed.
im going to cry about cam newton charging for autographs. if a grown man wants a jersey signed he can pay for it lol
Steve Smith has always been my fav Panther, Carolina's very own Rod Tidwell but why won't Jerry trade him? Give the guy to a team that can make use of his talent, let Steve Smith earn a superbowl ring and and then bring him back to Carolina.
Just an idea, the game clock is running down and keeping Smith tied to a mess like the Panthers, just doesn't make a lot of "kwan".
Steve Smith is the king of self-promotion...
I disagree someone needed to talk to Cam and the coach neglected too. Smitty just should not have told a reporter is all.
17Reply to Cedar Posts
No other team wants Steve Smith. Remember when he wanted to be traded before the Panthers drafted Cam Newton. The Panthers shopped Steve Smith but there were no takers. Everyone tries to put a good face on it by pretending Smith decided to stay after learning the Panthers drafted Cam and Cam stated he hoped Smith would stay. The truth is no one wants this selfish, short, egotistical player. As long as Steve Smith is in the NFL, it will be with the Panthers. He is a very talented player, but he is all about Steve.
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