As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to London’s prestigious Wembley Stadium to play the New England Patriots in one of NFL’s proposals to spread the game abroad, Buccaneers return specialist Clifton Smith mentioned to the media that Carolina Panthers defensive back Dante Wesley called him to apologize for the hit which resulted in the NFL suspending Wesley.
Most media outlet reported the hit by Wesley on Smith and also the subsequent suspension by the league, but most have not mentioned the latest on the story which is Wesley apology via phone to Smith.
It is important to note that Smith received a call from Wesley and also that Smith mentioned he has no hard feelings towards Wesley especially after the Panthers defensive back reached out and apologized. Reports are so quick to point the finger at athletes hurting others, but slow to mention when an apology has been made.
The hit in this case was a result of a hit by Wesley on Smith to the neck and head of Tampa Bay Buccaneers punt returner.
Though the league suspended Wesley for a game and without pay, it is noteworthy to mention that Wesley reached out to Smith via phone to apologize.
“He called me and apologized, which I appreciate,” Smith said. “He said he was just trying to make a play.”
Though Wesley was ejected as a result of the play, along with his coach John Fox, Wesley said he did not intend to hurt Smith, which is important to note regardless of the eventual score line as Smith suffered a concussion on that play.
As he expects to play for the Buccaneers when they face the Patriots in London on Sunday, Smith accepting Wesley’s apology means all is dead with that saga, and it shows the ability to be a bigger person to know when you were wrong and also when to forgive, forget and move on.
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