Steve Smith: 'I destroyed Fred Smoot's career'

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has claimed that he is responsible for ruining the career of a former NFL cornerback.

Smith's latest soundbite comes just a week after he told New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib to "ice up, son," after the pair clashed during a recent game.

Now Smith has declared that he is the reason ex-Minnesota Viking Fred Smoot was never the same after they met on the field in 2005.

The Panthers man told ESPN: "A guy that I take pride in is Fred Smoot. I destroyed his career. He was never the same after we met. After coming into Bank of America Stadium, things just went downhill for him from there."

Smoot - who was known for his trash-talking when he was a player - was humiliated by Smith, who caught for 201 yards and a touchdown in the game.

He finished his career with the Washington Redskins in 2009.