Red November Posted October 3, 2004 Share Posted October 3, 2004 Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers refused to show "He Hate Me" any love, fining running back Rod Smart for missing practice when he was stuck in Florida during Hurricane Jeanne. Smart returned to his home in Lakeland, Fla., during Carolina's bye weekend, intending to return Sunday night. When the forecast for Jeanne worsened, he tried to leave Florida a day early. But the Tampa airport was closed, and Smart found himself stranded in Florida and unable to return in time for Monday's practice. From his conversations with coach John Fox, Smart said he assumed he was not in trouble for missing practice. "It was like `Are you OK? Is everyone doing OK? Are you safe? Get here when you can, ' " Smart said Thursday, summarizing his conversation with Fox. "Then yesterday, they said `Make sure you look at your paycheck, it's going to be a little light. ' " Smart didn't know how much the Panthers were fining him, estimating it would be between "$5,000 and $10,000." "It is what it is," Smart said, borrowing Fox's favorite phrase. "This one, I lost." Quote Link to comment
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