Everyone agrees that American football is a pretty violent game, and its widely held that Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is as tough as they come. The diminutive nine-year veteran has been among the league's best wide-outs since 2002 despite his size, and has never shied from physical play. But last Thursday, Smith's reckless style got the best of him when he fractured his arm playing...flag football. Not the ruthless game he's paid to play in which 300 lb gladiators crash into each other for three hours, but the little sister of the NFL where players "tackle" each other by stripping yellow flags from their opposition.
For his part, Smith is adamant that he plays football for more than money, that he can't help playing the sport merely for fun in the offseason. That's an admirable attitude to have, except when it results in injury.
He doesn't seem to be too worried about the wrath of the Panthers organization over his careless injury either, “Outside of football, I mow my grass, too,” he said. “You know, I can get my finger chopped off fixing my lawnmower. You know, I’ve almost rolled my ankle sitting playing tag or slip-and-slide with my kids in the backyard.”
Smith may have been joking, but those things happen randomly every day, as Wile E. can attest.
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