Steve Smith Destroys Vikings Linebacker with Blindside Block

Oh, Lord. I might’ve dislocated my shoulder just watching this block.

Steve Smith isn’t a big guy, but shying away from contact isn’t a part of his game—something he reminded the world of Sunday with a nasty blindside hit against the Minnesota Vikings.

The block came on a DeAngelo Williams carry, which went deep into the Vikings' second level. Williams managed to break to the outside with the help of the Carolina Panthers' veteran wideout, who unloaded on pursuing Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway.

Put simply, it was a beautiful disaster, and here's a GIF to prove it to you, courtesy of Kiley Kmiec of Next Impulse Sports.

Smith lined up the hit carefully and exploded into Greenway’s right shoulder, effectively de-cleating the 242-pound linebacker. 

Physicality was the name of the game for the Panthers, as Smith’s hit wasn’t the only monster block of the game for Carolina.

Ted Ginn Jr. also got in on the act, monster-mashing Xavier Rhodes to help spring Brandon LaFell free on a 79-yard touchdown pass. Here's a GIF of the block, courtesy of @CJZero (via Mike Dyce of Fansided).

Which was the biggest hit? Decide for yourself, but I’m leaning toward Smith. 

Crunching a linebacker—even on a blindside—is impressive for a guy like Smith, who is 5’9”, 185 pounds sopping wet. Bear in mind, Smith is 34 years old, and he’s still out there making plays and sacrificing his body just to lay a block.

The Panthers' veteran wideout also managed to have a quietly productive game offensively, catching five passes for 21 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers stomped the Vikings, 35-10.

As Cube would say, it was a good day for Steve Smith. 

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