Steve Smith....lets put this to a end

[TheRed]

In the end I don't think you can give him a statue after his violent behavior. But he should have a place in Panthers history in some basic form, you cannot deny him that. Seems pretty simple really.

As far as his past physical assaults, I think those who mention it the most here in a demeaning manner actually give a poo about real world abuse the least. If you've reduced it to your own personal punchline to gloat about, you are doing nothing to help issues.

[Oldmanrivera]

15 minutes ago, TheRed said:

In the end I don't think you can give him a statue after his violent behavior. But he should have a place in Panthers history in some basic form, you cannot deny him that. Seems pretty simple really.

As far as his past physical assaults, I think those who mention it the most here in a demeaning manner actually give a poo about real world abuse the least. If you've reduced it to your own personal punchline to gloat about, you are doing nothing to help issues.

This is what I imagine most people feel about this topic. 

Does he deserve a statue? No, in my opinion he doesn't, but that doesn't take away what he has done with his time as a panther.

The discussion could really just stop there. I am not sure why it is getting a thread about it.

[philit99]

Everyone has an opinion, but to me, Smitty is the greatest Panther to ever suit up. THE GREATEST, including Sam Mills, Kevin Greene, Cam Newton, etc. He is what every franchise dreams to have in a player, he just happened to play WR. I don't care about a statue, but his name absolutely should be in the ring of honor. He still deserves that one day contract, Tepper make it happen.

[Icege]

 

19 minutes ago, TheRed said:

In the end I don't think you can give him a statue after his violent behavior. But he should have a place in Panthers history in some basic form, you cannot deny him that. Seems pretty simple really.

[Peppers90 NC]

i love smitty but he wasnt the best teammate

[XOBlackxJokerOX]

Where'd this statue talk come from anyway? Regardless how you feel about the player, he's still the greatest Panther to ever lace 'em up. Give the man his just due, ring of honor and all, and keep the other, irrelevant poo to yourself. It's not football related. That's what he would be honored for, what he did on the field... like other players.  

[top dawg]

5 minutes ago, philit99 said:

Everyone has an opinion, but to me, Smitty is the greatest Panther to ever suit up. THE GREATEST, including Sam Mills, Kevin Greene, Cam Newton, etc. He is what every franchise dreams to have in a player, he just happened to play WR. I don't care about a statue, but his name absolutely should be in the ring of honor. He still deserves that one day contract, Tepper make it happen.

I still say that Pep has a strong case for greatest Panther ever, but I do believe that Smitty absolutely deserves his place in the Panthers ring of honor. I mean, hell, he's likely a future HoFer, so it would look pretty stupid not to give him his place in the ring of honor.

As for a statue, I can see both sides, so I'm not going to debate it one way or another.

[usmcpanthers]

You guys act like he was the only player ever to get into a fight with a teammate. That poo happens all the time, its always been a big deal cuz it was Smitty. I dont condone it.

 

What TheRed said is completely right

 But he should have a place in Panthers history in some basic form, you cannot deny him that. Seems pretty simple really.

 

He will always be my favorite Panther ever, and that will never change!

[Cyberjag]

How about a statue of him sucker-punching Ken Lucas?  Would that be a good compromise?

Seriously, if you just want to celebrate his football skills and contributions on the field, then some sort of honor is very appropriate.  I would love to see a statue of him outside BofA.  I would like to see one of Wesley Walls too.  We need to loosen the criteria just a little bit, and get some of our old stars up there.  I could care less if he is a fiery asshole, he also has a hell of a story and I'm glad he was a Panther.

[shaqattaq]

5 minutes ago, TheRed said:

In the end I don't think you can give him a statue after his violent behavior. But he should have a place in Panthers history in some basic form, you cannot deny him that. Seems pretty simple really.

He's one of the best Panthers ever, and a bit of an asshole. He definitely deserves to be honored for the former, but the later kinda hampers his chances of getting a statue.

[JARROD]

Oh lord,...

Thunder Dome,..

2 enter,... one leaves

[t96]

No statue for Smitty but definitely want him to retire here and us retire #89. Smitty may be deserving but TD is more deserving when he hangs them up and I don’t like the idea of having a lot of statues. Gotta consider Cam and Luke down the road too. 

 

And JR statue should stay. He deserves it.

[t96]

5 minutes ago, usmcpanthers said:

You guys act like he was the only player ever to get into a fight with a teammate. That poo happens all the time, its always been a big deal cuz it was Smitty. I dont condone it.

I don’t think it’s a big deal but to say that it happens all the time is ridiculous. Sure scuffles happen like Cam/Josh but other players don’t ever let it escalate to the point of breaking a teammate’s jaw... that’s unique to Smitty.

[Ricky Spanish]

Statue? 

Nah.

Ring of honor/number retired?

You betcha