Steve Smith directed some pretty explosive comments toward his former employer shortly after being cut by the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.
Smith visited several radio stations in the immediate aftermath of his release, and he dropped one heck of a line during a spot on WFNZ.
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The wide receiver clarified his feelings toward the Panthers — his team for all 13 of his NFL seasons — in another interview, saying that he has nothing but love for the team, ownership and the city of Charlotte, where he says he will continue to reside.
The primary target of Smith’s vitriol is Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman, who told him that he was not part of the team’s long-term plans.
“It doesn’t change my respect and relationship with the Panthers organization as far as Mr. and Mrs. Richardson and the family,” Smith said on SiriusXM’s Bleacher Report Radio, via ProFootballTalk. “They’ve done great things for me as a man and professionally. You can’t allow an individual or individuals to change how much a corporation or organization has treated me. I won’t allow that to happen.
“I believe my legacy as a Carolina Panther exceeds one individual for a short amount of time.”
Smith said he plans to test the market a bit — “enjoy a few free dinners” — before deciding on a new landing spot.
