Steve Smith unleashes on Panthers, explains his release

Smith called WFNZ in Charlotte during “Bustin’ Loose” to clear up some misconceptions about his exit from the Panthers and he fired with both barrels, saying he wasn’t called by general manager Dave Gettleman prior to his release:

“He doesn’t even have the cojones to tell it to my face,” says Smith. “Everybody else says that it wasn’t personal, but if the first thing comes out of your mouth if it wasn’t personal, well guess what, it was personal.”

The wide receiver said he was told the team would try to trade him before before the season and that Gettleman said the reason was that there was a belief he was unable to run and jump like he used to, while being jealous of Cam Newton. Smith said he was an “old 35-year-old receiver who was a distraction,” making it impossible for him to be traded.

“Now that I play well you’re going to try and say that I’m a distraction. I’ve always been a distraction, but I didn’t beat my wife. Yeah I hit some teammates six or seven years ago, but I never beat my wife. I didn’t get arrested for DUIs. I didn’t fall off no motorcycles.”

Hardy was arrested for domestic violence this offseason and was involved in a motorcycle accident prior to the 2012 season. He is currently on the commissioner’s exempt list and it’s unclear whether he’ll play for the Panthers again.

The veteran receiver said he had a good relationship with Newton, but acknowledged there was an age gap between the two:

“Cam is not 35 years old with kids, so I’m not going to play Madden with Cam. There are some things age-related-wise that I’m not going to do with some guys.”

Smith said he didn’t have anything to say to the current Panthers general manager:

“I don’t have anything to say to Dave Gettleman. He told me what he thought of me, and my play me what I thought of him.”