Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. was certainly no stranger to confrontation during his fiery 16-year NFL career. From breaking his own teammate’s nose during a heated training camp session to famously (or infamously) icing up former rival Aqib Talib on Monday Night Football, 89 has never been afraid to engage in a bit of fisticuffs.
But we’re not about to add a random fight from a UFC event to that lore.
An NFL insider parody account recently tried to get a rise out of Smith Sr., perhaps trolling the former wideout by claiming he got knocked out at a UFC event. The account provided the following video clip:
FIGHT: Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr just got KNOCKED OUT at UFC 302. 😳pic.twitter.com/JWEBweKpjf
— Ryan Evans (@RyanEvansESPN) August 11, 2024
Well, in case common sense or that community note from Twitter/X didn’t give it away, that wasn’t Smith Sr.
Smitty would eventually debunk the tweet himself.
Hey @RyanEvansESPN… not all people, especially black people with a hat look alike bro
I’m working 📺 https://t.co/L4dR3Iokmh pic.twitter.com/BSLYVUmGED
— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) August 11, 2024
He also refused to accept the account’s apology for the “mix-up.”
Nah don't try to smooth this over. How are you going to not be there and accuse me of a fight when I'm clearly on TV? 🤔 https://t.co/1KzQKwDDev
— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) August 11, 2024
So, no, it wasn’t him.
Besides, we’ve already seen a former Panther get knocked out a time or two in that arena. No need for another.
