The perks of being a star

Last week, Carolina Panthers pro bowl receiver, Steve Smith punched his teammate, starting safety Ken Lucas, on the sidelines during a training camp practice.

As a result of the beating, Lucas suffered a black eye and a broken nose that will require surgery. He is scheduled to miss 2-3 weeks of practice. Smith was sent home and has subsequently been suspended for the first two regular season games.

It’s a decent punishment.

But, my question is, would the Panthers handed out the same punishment to a lesser player? Or better, would that player still be on the team?

I don’t think so.

Steve Smith is by far the Panthers player. He also has a history of beating up his own teammates. A few years ago, he punched another player during a film session. He was suspended for a game.

Head coach, John Fox, wanted to send a message to his team that this type of behavior is not acceptable and would not be tolerated. Hence the two game suspension. Still, wouldn’t it have been a much stronger message if they had released or traded Smith?

I’m sure the Panthers never even broached that subject. He is their franchise player and they are trying to win.

That is understandable. But, is that what is best for the team?

We hear all the time about how important chemistry is on a team. Cases are continually made that cancers can ruin a team. Dallas Cowboys receiver, Terrell Owens, is consistently used as the poster child for team cancers. Yet, he has never beaten up his own teammate – at least physically.

Just imagine the media frenzy had Owens punched one of his teammates.

This just proves that stars do indeed get preferential treatment by their teams. And while I do understand the premise behind that I still believe it is wrong. Football is a team sport. No one man is going to win by himself.

No one should be above the team.

The Wizard had spoken.