CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman made it clear on Tuesday that the decision on whether wide receiver Steve Smith retires as a member of the organization isn’t up to him.
"That is way above my pay grade," Gettleman said. "Way above. Next."
He’s right. The decision on whether to give Carolina’s all-time receiver, who, after being released by the Panthers, played his final three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, isn’t Gettleman’s.
That is up to owner Jerry Richardson, who remains close to Smith. More importantly, Smith remains close to Richardson, not blaming him for his departure from Carolina.