CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Eric Reid wasn’t sure what the fuss was about as fellow Carolina Panthers safety Tre Boston recalled a 2014 game against former teammate Steve Smith.
“Man, [Smith] went off on us,” Boston told Reid.
It was billed the “Blood and Guts” revenge game, playing off the promise the oft-volatile Smith publicly made after the Panthers released him, their all-time leading receiver, following the 2013 season. Smith channeled his anger into a seven-catch, 139-yard, two-touchdown performance for the Baltimore Ravens in a 38-10 spanking.
It was personal, and the Panthers felt it.