It remains to be seen how much a 35-year-old Steve Smith will bring to the field this September with the Ravens, but it’s difficult to dispute the great number of fans he’s already made in his first week with his new team.
Despite his reputation as an intense competitor who’s occasionally gone too far, Smith has shown his softer side over the past week in saying goodbye to the Charlotte community he’s called home for the last 13 years. The longtime Carolina Panther has already said he plans to continue living in the Queen City but went out of his way to cheer up a seven-year-old Panthers fan who reacted sadly to the news of Smith’s release in a video that went viral.
Smith used his official Twitter account to get in touch with the boy’s father and surprised him on ABC’s “Good Morning America” with an invitation to his camp and the gift of a new Ravens jersey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8oqLwmIQNs
In addition to his television appearance, Smith took out an ad in Saturday’s edition of The Charlotte Observer (below) to express his thanks to Panthers fans and to share his desire of one day retiring with the organization that gave him his start in 2001.
It’s clear that Smith isn’t feeling warm and fuzzy about Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman and his decision to part ways with the veteran receiver at the start of free agency, but his affection for Charlotte and the Panthers is reminiscent of the many Ravens players who’ve expressed great thanks when leaving Baltimore. And it makes him easy to root for as he brings his talent and experience to the Ravens.
Even if his new city will only be viewed as a temporary home.
To hear Steve Smith’s interview earlier this week with Drew Forrester on The D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction, click HERE.
