Recently-released wide receiver Steve Smith has insisted that he will do everything he can to prove that it was the wrong decision for the Carolina Panthers to let him leave after 13 seasons with the club.
Smith said that he has maintained a lot of respect for owner Jerry Richardson, but admitted that he would not go easy on his old side should he face them in the 2014 season.
"It doesn't change my respect and relationship with the Panthers organisation as far as Mr and Mrs Richardson and the family [are concerned]," he told 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 organisation has treated me. I won't allow that to happen.
"I want to make sure that whatever team I go to, they're going to get the best, in-shape 35-year-old guy they can get. If that happens to run through Bank of America Stadium, put your goggles on because there's going to be blood and guts everywhere."
Smith made fewer than 10 regular-season starts only twice in his 13 seasons at the club.
Matt Domm
