Rivalries make sports great, and the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints have one of the best.
It’s no secret these two NFL franchises don’t like each other, but back in 2011, the world got a stark reminder in case anyone had forgotten.
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Steve Smith Jr shook Jabari Greer and darted to the end zone for the 54-yard TDCredit: Getty
Rookie Cam Newton fired a bullet to All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr, who caught the pass, bounced off a defender and took it all the way to the house for a 54-yard touchdown.
He waltzed into the end zone when Saints safety Roman Harper delivered a cheap shot to the back of the wide receiver, knocking him to the ground.
Smith quickly popped back up and started celebrating, spinning the ball and flexing, while talking smack. Fellow safety Malcolm Jenkins didn’t take too kindly to the celebration as he then got into it with the Panthers star.
Before you could blink, there was nearly massive brawl in the end zone between both sides, with Newton also inserting himself in the middle of it, but it was quickly put out before it actually escalated into anything troubling.
Harper’s late hit on Smith was the only penalty called during the scrum and would result in an eventual $15,000 fine from the league.
“It’s football, it’s a physical game,” Smith said after the game.
“I got up, celebrated, and got hit. I guess Harper didn’t like it, that’s not my problem.”
Eventually it was broken up and the game continued. It was, however, Harper, Jenkins and the Saints who were able to get the last laugh, as they defeated the Panthers 30-27.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees connected with running back Pierre Thomas with 50 seconds left for the game-winning touchdown. The loss dropped the Panthers to 1-4 on the season, while putting the Saints at 4-1.
Smith himself finished the game with 3 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
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Harper delivered a cheap shot on Smith after he had crossed the end zoneCredit: Getty
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Newton is arguably the greatest player in franchise historyCredit: Getty
The most memorable thing about Carolina’s 2011 season, other than Smith’s brawl with the Saints safeties, was the revelation of Newton.
The quarter-back out of Auburn had one of the greatest rookie seasons of all-time.
A historic rookie campaign that saw him win both AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, set numerous league and franchise records and make the Pro Bowl.
Sure, they finished 6-10, but the future was bright and crystal clear, centered on the cape of No.1 and his superhuman abilities.
Newton would win the MVP award in 2015 while leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record and appearance in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.
They fell to Peyton Manning and a ferocious defense 24-10, but it was still highly regarded as the greatest season in franchise history.
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For Smith, however, he left Carolina after the 2013 season and teamed up with Joe Flacco on the Baltimore Ravens for a few seasons until 2016 before calling it a career.
In total, Smith played 16 years in the league, had 1,031 receptions for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns. He built a Hall of Fame case, and now his future in Canton awaits. That is, if he receives enough votes.
While his game could speak for itself, Smith was still never one to shy away from the smack talking aspect of the sport. Him and Chad Johnson were the kings of it in the 2000s.
Not many could line up and go toe-to-toe with Smith on the field. And between the ears? Forget about it.
Just ask Harper and Jenkins.