Who is on the Carolina Panthers’ Mount Rushmore?

Steve Smith Sr.

There is little disputing the influence Steve Smith Sr. had with the Carolina Panthers. The wide receiver transformed himself from a mid-round pick into one of the primary players at the position during his time with the franchise.

Smith’s fiery competitiveness and ability to make others around him better were standout traits of his game. He is one of the few players than can look back and say they left everything on the field every time he stepped between the lines.

Although the player was diminutive compared to others operating at the position, Smith used that as another motivation to prove people wrong and become a sure-fire Hall of Famer in the not-too-distant future.

The Panthers are still looking for a wideout that could match what Smith gave them. They might have found someone with the same sort of hand quality in D.J. Moore. But whether he can provide that rare ability to get fans out of their seats every time he touches the ball is another matter.

Smith’s 2005 season is one that will live long in the memory. He formed a prolific partnership with quarterback Cam Newton and ended up leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

This also inevitably won Smith the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year, a first-team All-Pro selection, and a trip to the Pro Bowl. Sadly for the Panthers, their tilt at a Super Bowl fell short when the receiver was on the roster. But it does not take away from the monumental impact he made on the organization.