Smith to the HOF

[Mr. Scot]

Steve Smith might get in to the Hall of Fame, but it's far from a lock.

If he does, it sure as heck won't be on the first ballot.  It took Tim Brown a while, and Brown was perennially one of the best in the league.  If Tim Brown can't get in for six years, Steve Smith isn't going in that easy.

People forget the rest of the world doesn't look at him like Panther fans do.

[UpstatePanther]

It would break my heart to see Smitty lose a SB to the Panthers. But if the Raven's make it to the superbowl Smitty would have padded his post season stats that much more and would probably be a certain lock for the HOF at that point. 

I also recognize all the sht he talked about the team when he left. Rivera/Cam/Luke/TD, all those guys have worked so hard for this team the past few years. They deserve the ring as much as anyone else now.

it would hardly break my heart. i would be too excited about the Panthers finally being champions. any sadness for Smith would come on much much later... like... around draft time. haha

[Guest Barry McCaulkinor]

What I find offensive is his supposedly number one play is some random touchdown with the ravens. X clown will forever be his number one play. Duck you nfl.com

[Jangler]

If he gets in, cool. But I'm sure not spending any time thinking about it either way.

[ACobra289]

If he'd have had a GOOD QB and a decent supporting cast around him for the majority of his career, this wouldn't even be a question.

If you think otherwise or want to get all hung up on the bad times, then you're a hater.

Aside from maybe Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders, I don't think there are many in the history of the game that deserved HOF more. The stuff Smith has accomplished despite his lack of physical stature and people not believing in him is a testament to his hard work and desire to be the best.

Agreed. And don't forget the time he missed with injuries. If he had missed less time and had a good quarterback his whole career he would have been a lock 1st ballot HOFer.

[Mr. Scot]

If he gets in, cool. But I'm sure not spending any time thinking about it either way.

Agreed.

It's no big deal to me regardless of whether he gets in or not.

[Jangler]

Now, thinking about why TD should have a statue, that's worthy of  spending some time on.

[rippadonn]

If the Hall of Fame is for nice guys then maybe not. If we're talking football Smitty is one of the best ever.  I would love to see the X clown touchdown statue outside BOfA, real Panther fans remember what he's done for the team. He always gave 200%. Haters need to check themselves 

[iamcline]

He might in 30 years...but I don't think he'll be enshrined.  As far as the hall goes, they'll consider him a B+ player.

[neverlosethefeeling]

Why can't we hold opinions about a player and his stance relative to the rest of players in the history of the game without being called a "hater."

Honestly, ask yourself this question: What Panther fan could really HATE Steve Smith? The truth is for a small handful of years he was the only thing to even like about the team. No one here is downplaying his significance to the franchise. No one here is claiming he hasn't had a GREAT career, or isn't the greatest Panther of all time. But, I don't think Steve Smith is a lock for the Hall or even a first ballot guy if he does eventually get in. That doesn't mean I don't want him to get in. It doesn't mean I don't think he should get in. But it does mean I look at the guys he's competing against (those who are currently eligible), the guys he will be competing against (retired in the last 5 years or will retire in the nearish future) and know he's fighting an uphill battle. 

The league's conditions have just produced monsterous talents at the wide receiver position. Steve is no exception. But please remember that just because we're honest about the current climate doesn't mean we dislike Steve any less--even though he's given people every reason to dislike him both while he was here and since he's left.

That is all. 

 

[Cat]

No doubt, dude is the poo.

[Doyle]

Better play than X Clown

 

[jayflip]

Article made me tear up. 

The HoF needs some Rules and Regulations. 

For those who say the outside world doesn't see him the same way we do... well you have the article we just read, some sources cited in that article, and this:

[Kevin Greene]

Easy to see real Panther fans.

They show respect for 89 and all he accomplished here.

We were fortunate to have him.