I am a big fat Liar

[milehighbronco]

Hey guys!

My name is Aaron. I'm a life-long Broncos fan & season ticket holder from Aurora, Colorado. I just had to register so I could share a great story with Panthers fans.

I'm in my mid 40's & have a 10 year old son. Mid-way through the 2010 season I decided to start a tradition to have some quality time with him. We travel to any road game that is a city we haven't visited. Then on Denver's bye week he chooses a city we haven't been to & we go there. Sunday's game will be the 9th stadium we've seen. My goal is to have watched a game in all 32 stadiums with him before he graduates high school.

We flew into Charlotte on Thursday morning. I try to travel on Thursday or Friday so we get to spend a few days exploring each city. This evening for dinner we went to The Palm Restaurant. My son & I were standing outside when Steve Smith & his wife walked out. Immediately people walking by stopped to take pictures & say hello. To my surprise not only did he not rush off, he stood around & interacted with everyone. I was hanging away from the crowd to try & get an autograph for my son when he walked by. There were probably a dozen or so people, mostly men, standing on the sidewalk taking his picture & talking to him. Steve was very friendly & genuine. He chatted with fans for about 5 minutes, talking about everything from football to tv shows.

Then it happened. A grown man came running up to him with a Panthers jersey & asked him to sign it. Steve went off & said a few expletives to the man. Steve told him that he didn't sign autographs & to get the *expletive* out of his face. Wow, talk about an intense little man! Steve then said "take it easy guys" & began to walk away with his wife.

Then it happened, again. Steve walked by my son & I, who both had on our Broncos gear, then turned around. He walked right up to my son, introduced himself, & shook his hand. Steve asked him if we were visiting or locals & if we would be at the game. He then asked my son some questions such as his name, favorite Broncos players, etc. Then he kneeled down, pulled out a sharpie, signed the Panthers hat he was wearing, & handed it to my son. He then offered to pose for a picture with both of us. After a quick photo Steve bumped fists with my son, gave him a big smile, patted him on the back, & told him to have fun at the game on Sunday.

Then, yet again, it happened. He shook my hand, looked me in the eyes, & in a low voice said, "Sir, I apologize for my inappropriate actions & language. I did not see your son standing there. I let you down as a fan, & both of us as fathers."

I was stunned. He may forever be labeled by his past, but he's a changed man. Steve Smith knows what being a pro athlete & role model is all about. I believe he truly understands what is important. I've always been a fan of #89 the football player. Now, more importantly, I'm a fan of #89 the man. As Panthers fans you should all be very proud to have Steve as the face of your organization. He is a Hall of Famer on & off the field.

Steve Smith is a hero in my book!

-Aaron

[cultclassiccat]

This should be pinned.

Pound for pound, best ever. There is not a single wr i would take over him.

Thanks for posting.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Wow, great gesture by Steve. Thanks for sharing, that'll definitely stick with your son forever.

[jake14wl]

[Herbert The Love Bug]

steve a good boy

[Zithers]

i wanna meet steve.

instead i met keary colbert.

dammit.

[Marguide]

Great story.

OP, I hope you and your boy enjoy the game experience on Sunday win or lose.

[SCMunnerlyn1]

HOF snub

[Cape Fear Cat]

Many of us can recall instances when we acted immaturely at some time in our past. The key is, did we grow out of it, and are we better men now than we were then. Steve Smith need not worry too much on that account, as it seems to me he has become a stellar example of what a professional athlete and man should be. I am very proud to be a fan of the team that has men like him on their roster.

[Montsta]

False story. Steve Smith only wears LA hats.

I kid. Glad you had a good experience. Go tell your pals on the broncos country message boards to stop being such douches and act more like you.

[Guest Tom Cat]

cool story bra

Pics or it didnt happen.

[Chaos]

I smell an alt. I hate myself for even entertaining the thought that this story is fake; this is what the huddle has done to me. Smith wearing a Panthers hat in public, at the Palm restaurant no less??

[Zod]

I smell an alt. I hate myself for even entertaining the thought that this story is fake; this is what the huddle has done to me. Smith wearing a Panthers hat in public, at the Palm restaurant no less??

Indeed...

This post was created by previously banned user SmittyCEO

Item 1: Same IP that resolves to hickory, NC.

Item 2: Registration email used to create this new worthless alt account and semi psychotic thread included "smittyceo" in the email account name on gmail.

SmittyCEO.... seek help. You ain't right.

[Chaos]

Indeed...

This post was created by previously banned user SmittyCEO

Item 1: Same IP that resolves to hickory, NC.

Item 2: Registration email used to create this new worthless alt account and semi psychotic thread included "smittyceo" in the email account name on gmail.

SmittyCEO.... seek help. You ain't right.

and BOOM goes the dynamite! Thanks for confirming brother, now I can purge myself of the guilt and have a great Friday.