CHARLOTTE -- Former Carolina Panther Steve Smith Sr. may play in Baltimore now, but his heart remains in the Carolinas.
Smith is hosting the third annual Lace Up Son Family 5K on Memorial Day in Matthews. It's hosted by the Steve Smith Family Foundation.
"This year unfortunately I can't run. I'm not cleared. So I got a golf cart and a bullhorn and I'm going to have some fun with it," Smith said.
Smith is recovering from an Achilles tendon tear he suffered in a game against San Diego. He is going through rehab here in Charlotte.
"I have dual citizenship. I live here. I pay taxes. I have my home in North Carolina and I work in Baltimore," Smith said.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Smith in the third round in 2001. He went on to play 13 seasons with the team and is still one of the most beloved players by the fans.
"By growing up in this community we really fell in love with it," Smith said. "And this community gave me a great opportunity. Mr. Richardson gave me an opportunity to change my whole life's fortune."
Smith and his wife have four children ranging in age from 18 to 2-years-old.
"We have every stage of life. Young man, puberty, adolescence and then poopy diapers," Smith said with a smile.
His oldest son Peyton just graduated from high school and signed to play soccer at DePaul. His other son Boston plays baseball on a recreational league in the Charlotte area.
"I try to keep that balance because when Boston's up to bat, he drives in a car with dad. Not Steve Smith Sr., not Baltimore Raven, not former Carolina Panther. He drives in a car with dad."
While out in the community Smith is recognized by fans, but he says he has a job to do as dad.
"Peyton asked me one day he said, 'dad, are you here to watch me or are you here to sign autographs?'" Smith said. "And that hit me. So what I started to do, when I'm at my kids events I'm dad. That's all I am."
"I take that role as daddy as an honor. That's a badge that a lot of people don't have."
"It's not about being a football player. It's about what I'm going to be judged at at the end of the day. How did I take care of those precious treasures that God gave me?"
Registration is still open for the third annual Lace Up Son Family 5K on Memorial Day in Matthews. Click here to register
