National Football League: Steve Smith injured as Carolina Panthers are worried
At first, it was a freak accident where Carolina Panthers’ star receiver Steve Smith broke his arm while playing a friendly game of football at his youth football camp. But then it wasn’t true at all. As it turned out later, it was not a group of kids that Steve was playing against when he suffered the injury. It was actually a game of flag football at the adult football league in a local chapter of the Young Men’s Christian Association in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The injury came on Sunday during a game when the 185 lb Smith tried to break his fall using his arm. It was the same arm which he had broken last season and doctors had to place a metal plate to bring back some normalcy.
Smith regretted his decision in hindsight, but was defiant that it was not a case of poor judgment on his part. Smith admitted to having put himself and his team at a disadvantage by partaking in the flag football game but maintained that he did not wilfully in jure his arm. He added that if he had known what the outcome could have been, he would have restrained himself. His contract, like many other football players, stipulates that Smith should avoid dangerous activity that might injure him, can have a negative effect on his performance or possibly even knock him out of the game for a season or more. However, one cannot really say if a game of flag football qualifies under that clause of not.
Smith added that if he had the powers, he wanted to change the outcome of Sunday’s events. He further clarified by saying that in addition to being a football player, he is also an ordinary man who engages in ordinary everyday activities. “I mow my grass, too. I can get my finger chopped off fixing my lawnmower", he said. Smith insisted that he will be more careful in the future but maintained that his actions were not reckless.
Smith said that he is extremely passionate about the sport and is addressing concerns as to why the four time Pro Bowl player would be playing in a flag football league. Various media reports have supported Smith’s stance by saying that it is apparent to anyone viewing the situation that to Smith, football is not about money. It is a game that Smith grew up playing.
Smith said he just wanted to play the game he loved, trying to let go of material concerns and trying to forget “the money, the contract” and just have a good time. The Panthers don’t seem to disagree. Smith was not reprimanded for endangering himself in the off season. While Smith is expected to make a speedy recovery by the season opener against the New York Giants, he will miss the training season. In such circumstances where a player’s off season activities render him incapable of fulfilling his duties and responsibilities to the team, such as participating in mandatory trainings, you wouldn’t be stretching to expect a pay deduction. Any other member of the Panther squad might have been subjected to that. But Steve Smith is not just any other panther.
Before his injury in the 16th week last season, Smith secured 982 yards, 65 catches and 7 touchdowns. His is the only name in the Panther’s receivers that really stands out. The rest are young athletes with next to nothing in terms of NFL experience. Perhaps the fact that the young guns would get some practice is the only silver lining in this situation. The young receivers will be fighting for a place in the line-up during the upcoming practice matches.
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