Police investigating fight that landed Carolina Panther in hospital

Police investigating fight that landed Carolina Panther in hospital
11/21/2002

By AMY LEHTONEN / nbc6.com




6NEWS
Steve Smith
Investigators from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department talked to Carolina Panther Anthony Bright Wednesday after he was released from the hospital.

Bright was involved in a fight with teammate Steve Smith during Monday’s film session.

Police are investigating the fight that sent Bright to the hospital with a broken nose.

Investigators want to interview other players and witnesses of the fight. They will then give their report to the district attorney to decide if criminal charges will be filed in the incident. Legal experts say most likely, some charge will be filed against Smith.

Bright told 6NEWS that he is not doing well and the fight with Smith has put his dreams on hold.

The Panthers suspended Smith on Wednesday for one game because of the fight. His suspension came at the same time the Panthers released offensive tackle Chris Terry, who was arrested Wednesday for failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge of assaulting his wife.

These difficulties are just the latest troubles for the Panthers (3-7) during its eight seasons in the NFL.

Carolina receiver Isaac Byrd visited Bright, a practice squad player, in the hospital Tuesday and called his injuries "very disturbing."

"I wanted to leave the room the second I walked in there," Byrd said. "When I saw him his face was covered, it was like a sheet below the eyes. The nose was covered. Half the face was swollen and his (left) eye was closed ... you'd have thought there was a bulldozer in Steve's fist."

Byrd was one of the few players to speak about the fight, which coach John Fox disclosed following practice.

Byrd said the receivers were in a dark room watching film when Smith attacked Bright. He did not say if Smith was provoked or what led to the fight.

"I can't comment like I want to because I'll get in trouble," Byrd said.

In a statement released Wednesday Smith said, "First and foremost, I would like to apologize to Anthony Bright. I regret the actions that led to my suspension and want to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the organization, and fans of the Carolina Panthers. Being away and watching this week will be difficult, but I take full responsibility for my absence and actions."

Bright said he would need another operation on his nose in few weeks.

 

OK, this wasn't a fight. This was a beating.

1 game?

Smith, for perhaps his safety, should be cut.

At some point, somebody is going to take a shot on Smith on the field.

 

I agree Smith needs to be cut!

 

:xyzwave:

 

Words.

I'm pretty disgusted.

How the fuck does this shit keep happening?

 

A team source tells us that Smith is regarded as a "smart-ass know-it-all punk," and that he eventually will "pay for what he did" to Bright.

Stuessie. Or Sauerburn.

Kind of weird when your enforcer is your punter.

 

Why is he even still on the team?

 

When we cut him, I hope a NFC South team picks him up. I want our guys to be able to squash him twice a year.

 

Sauerbrun, Minter or Jarrod Cooper.

Be afraid, Stevonne, be very afraid.

 

I've heard that Cooper was walking around at Football 101.
Right, Carole?
I wouldn't put it past Cooper to ambush Smith somewhere.