By: The Charlotte Sports Desk | December 9, 2025

CHARLOTTE, NC – There are players who play for a franchise, collecting game checks and compiling stats until the contract runs out. And then there are players who become the franchise—who bleed into the concrete of the stadium and the soul of the city until you cannot tell where the team ends and the man begins.

For the Carolina Panthers, a team that has navigated three decades of exhilarating highs and crushing lows since its inception in 1995, one number has always signified more than just a position on the field. It signified a warning. It signified a mindset.

That number is 89.

On Wednesday morning, the perennial debate about who sits atop the Mount Rushmore of Carolina football was effectively ended in bronze. In a press conference that quickly shifted from a formal organizational announcement to a raw, emotional tribute, Panthers owner David Tepper confirmed that the team has officially commissioned a grand statue of Steve Smith Sr. to be erected outside the North Gate of Bank of America Stadium.

The monument will stand not just as a piece of art, but as a permanent guardian of the team’s legacy, honoring the man who, for 13 explosive seasons, defined exactly what it meant to “Keep Pounding.”

A Proposal from the Top

The announcement came directly from David Tepper, who appeared visibly moved as he took the podium. While Tepper’s tenure as owner has been marked by aggressive modernization, coaching changes, and a push for the future, this move was a deep, reverent bow to history.

“We talk a lot about culture in this building,” Tepper said, his voice steady but heavy with respect. “We talk about resilience. We talk about toughness. But you cannot manufacture the kind of fire that Steve Smith Sr. brought to this city. You can’t draft that, and you can’t buy it.”

Tepper paused, looking out at the gathered media and alumni.

“He wasn’t just a wide receiver. He was a gladiator,” Tepper continued. “He represented the grit, the fight, and the underdog spirit of every fan in the Carolinas. When he stepped on that field, he wasn’t the biggest guy out there, but he was the most dangerous man in the stadium. This statue ensures that future generations, who never got to see him play, will understand: This is the standard.”

The Smallest Giant

The decision to immortalize Smith is the culmination of a career that defied every odd stacked against it. Standing only 5-foot-9, Smith played with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Appalachian Mountains. Drafted in the third round in 2001 primarily as a return specialist, he forced his way into the lineup through sheer force of will, eventually becoming one of the most dominant receivers in NFL history.

He owns virtually every receiving record in franchise history. He achieved the rare “Triple Crown” in 2005, leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. But stats alone do not warrant a statue.

It was the attitude. It was “Ice Up, Son.” It was the stiff arms that planted linebackers into the turf. It was the way he spun the ball after a touchdown and stared down an entire opposing sideline. For a market often overlooked by the national media, Steve Smith Sr. gave Charlotte a voice—and that voice was loud, brash, and unapologetic.

“The Heart of the Carolinas”

Reaction from the fanbase was immediate and euphoric. For years, the “Roaring Riot” and die-hard fans have clamored for a permanent memorial to Agent 89. While statues of Sam Mills (the father of “Keep Pounding”) and former owner Jerry Richardson have stood on the grounds, Smith represents the player connection—the on-field avatar of the fan’s passion.

Former teammates, many of whom were present for the announcement, echoed the sentiment that this was long overdue.

“Steve made us walk taller,” said a former Panthers quarterback in attendance. “When 89 was in the huddle, you knew you had a chance to win any fight. He demanded greatness. If you weren’t giving 100%, you were going to hear about it. He dragged this franchise to relevance.”

The Unveiling

While the specific design of the statue remains under wraps, speculation is already running rampant. Will it depict his famous “Triple Crown” celebration? A signature stiff-arm? Or perhaps a moment of him screaming in celebration after a game-winning catch?

Tepper hinted that the artist commissioned for the piece has been working closely with Smith to capture not just his likeness, but his energy. The unveiling is tentatively scheduled for the home opener of the 2026 season, promising to be one of the loudest days in Bank of America Stadium history.

As the press conference concluded, a highlight reel played on the screens behind the podium—Smith breaking tackles against the Rams in double overtime, Smith outrunning the Bears defense, Smith fighting for every inch.

For 13 years, Steve Smith Sr. wore the black and blue. Now, cast in bronze, he will ensure that the fire he started never goes out. The King has returned to his castle, and this time, he is here to stay.