JUST BE A MAN ABOUT IT!!!

Kudos Steve Smith and Ken Lucas!!

What a difference a weekend makes! After driving his fist into the face of teammate Ken Lucas, causing him injuries that will require surgery to repair damage to his nose and face, Carolina Panthers' star wide receiver Steve Smith stood up today in the aftermath of his regrettable actions on Friday and was in all ways, "A man about it!" The über talented wide-out gave an apology to his organization, coaches, teammates and family today after returning to practice focused and ready to move forward. (See the full text of Steve's apology below)

"I will not allow this moment in the book of life to define me, despite what people may write or say."



The Carolina Panther's moved quickly on Saturday and suspended their number one offensive scoring threat for two regular season games for his actions.

However, in a true moment of solidarity and team unity Smith's victim Ken Lucas was full of optimism as he forgave Steve for hitting him in the face.

"I feel like what happened was a blessing in disguise," Lucas said. "This is something I think has brought this team closer together. You may think (I) sound crazy for saying that, but I really think this is bigger than me and Steve." (AP)

Ken also acknowledged that he and Steve have had an ongoing feud since 2005 when the Panthers' signed the star receiver. Lucas chalked the situation up to the heat of the moment and emotions.

"I'm sure if he had a calmer head he would have made better decisions. I don't fault him for that. There are times where I may want to hit somebody, but I control myself. I tell some of my other teammates you have to learn to keep your composure. Typically people do crazy things they regret when they're emotional. I think he just got too emotional at the time." (AP)




Lucas was confident that there would not be any other problems going forward and he relied on his faith when making the decision to forgive his teammate. He is ready to continue talking with Smith to work out their differences. Both players were steadfast in wanting to do whatever it took to move forward, placing a renewed focus on the team's goal of winning a championship after a sub par 7-9 record last season.

I truly commend both men for standing up and being real men about the incident. While, the initial cause for their infantile conflict still remains somewhere muddled in the lines of testosterone and the 100 degrees temperatures of two-a-day practices. Their stand-up actions today in the face of the media were truly remarkable and genuine.

In a world that has more violence in movies, video games, professional sports and almost every other facet of society, it was extremely refreshing to see both men today speaking candidly about the situation. Their willingness to work together to resolve their differences showed all of us a better way to come together without fighting.


FULL TEXT OF STEVE SMITH'S STATEMENT:

First of all, I'd really like to apologize to the organization, to the coaches, to my teammates, to my family. I have a big responsibility to a lot of people and I know I disappointed a lot of people, but I know I will not allow this moment in the book of life to define me. despite what people may write or say.

I made a bad decision. I accept my responsibilities of my actions and I will take this opportunity moving forward to try to do the best I can to move past this and really let this not define me and not get down on myself to where I'm not able to help my teammates out and help this organization ultimately win a championship.

This issue that happened is going to be an opportunity for the Carolina Panthers and myself as an individual to show our true colors and be able to show the impact we can have and not allow this moment to define me or leave the legacy of who I am as a man to my children (and) to my teammates.

I will not put myself in a position where I have to defend myself or state my side of the story. There is no "side." There is only one side, which is a lack of judgment on my part. That's really all I have to say. I have no excuse. All I have is the opportunity to gain the respect of my fans, gain the respect of my family, gain the respect of co-workers and gain the respect of the organization and also the peers that I play against as well, and that's what I'm going to do, that's what I shall do and that's what I always do.

This is a moment that I decided to put myself in by my actions, and I'm going to take it like a man and take this opportunity to let God break me, humble me and continuously let me move forward and be the person I can truly be -- which is a God-fearing man, no matter what people may think or may say.

It's an opportunity for me to stand tall and take my punishment but take it with God on my side and not me standing up trying to be something that I'm not. I'm a fallen man, a man that made a mistake. I intend to mend the bridges that I have burned, and help rebuild the bridge -- all by myself, if I need to -- but not do it in a spiteful way, but with the labor and the sound mind that God gives me, which is to do what I'm supposed to do. So I appreciate the due respect to my family.

I'm not going to get into who's right and who's wrong. I'm completely wrong. (It was an) asinine decision. We'll move forward, and I'll move forward -- better than I probably ever had to, because this is the first time in my life that I really haven't forgiven myself. That's what I'm going to work on. I appreciate it.

Thank you.