Steve Smith to Retire as Panther When He Finishes NFL Career

Steve Smith may be the enemy when his Baltimore Ravens take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but Carolina supporters will be happy to hear Smith will be thinking about their team when he retires.

In fact, Smith told ESPN.com’s Ashley Fox that he will identify with the team he spent 13 seasons catching passes for when it comes time to call it quits: 

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When that time comes, I’ll be able to walk back in those doors and retire as a Panther and have the respect and not have such a split and not allow the few individuals in their temporary residence there to alter a decade of what I’ve done and experienced in that great organization. I was there 13 years, and the way I look at it and what I was told, I’ll be there a lot longer than they will.

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The timing of Smith’s announcement is certainly noteworthy since he plays his old team Sunday. 

It is a showdown between 2-1 foes, although the Panthers looked particularly vulnerable in Week 3 when Baltimore’s division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, handed them a blowout loss. Antonio Brown had his way with Carolina’s secondary, and it is natural to wonder if Smith will do the same in Week 4.

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Smith has 18 receptions for 290 yards and a touchdown through three games.

In the offseason, Smith's attitude toward his old team was straightforward, per Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper:

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I want to make sure that whatever team I go to, they’re going to get the best, in shape 35-year-old guy they can get. If that happens to run through Bank of America Stadium, put your goggles on cause there’s going to be blood and guts everywhere.

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For those wondering why Smith still sees himself as a Carolina Panther even though he didn’t leave on the best of terms, the receiver suggested that a closed-door meeting with owner Jerry Richardson was key. The meeting happened after he was cut and supposedly left Smith feeling like he was still appreciated by the organization and fans.

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Sunday’s game will still likely be framed as a revenge-oriented showdown between Smith and his former team, but this may take away some of the potential ill will. 

The future is bright in Carolina in terms of wide receivers with rookie Kelvin Benjamin in place, and it seems like past ties are still strong as well.