Although the Carolina Panthers' Week 15 Monday Night game did not result in a desirable outcome, it was nonetheless a significant night for the team: Serving as the honorary captain for the night was none other than franchise great Steve Smith, who took the next step in his détente with the Panthers' organization.

Speaking Wednesday with WFNZ's Kyle Bailey concerning his serving as honorary captain, Smith stated that it was "cool" for him to do so, and that he has been having extensive conversations with owner David Tepper about being more involved with the team. "He's really had some conversations with me just on that aspect of being around," said Smith, who noted that he was also encouraged to become more involved with his former team by general manager Marty Hurney and former teammates Torrey Smith and Thomas Davis.

Not terribly long ago, nights like Monday Night couldn't have been imagined: For several years after his release following the 2013 season, Smith was estranged from the Panthers' organization, having felt wronged over being let go. However, he stated that he has reconciled with the Panthers in large part because of the example that he wants to set for his family.

"I'm a father of four. The way things ended, it just left me saying 'Hey, I left this team and that's it'," said Smith. "But if I am to be a father, and be an example to my kids first - the first and foremost, not anybody else's but mine, that's who I'm responsible for first - I can't say 'Let go', I can't say 'Redo, have grace, have forgiveness', if I'm not willing to do it myself. I'm a hypocrite. So that's really the purpose of it is to be an example to my family."

"But also too, this is a organization that calls me. That wants me to be around. And so I'll be around. ... Long and short, it was really cool to be around. It was really cool to be around the guys. And everybody always says 'Oh, good to have you back' - Never was gone. Still here. But you'll see me a little bit more and more."

With that being said, Smith noted that he still has a job to do as an analyst for NFL Network covering 31 other teams, and that he won't be around the Panthers to the point where he is "obnoxious" about it (taking a thinly-veiled shot at NFL Network co-worker and noted Dallas Cowboys homer Michael Irvin in the process).

Smith was not the only former Panther in attendance for Monday Night's game: Other Panthers alumni who were seen pre-game (As noted by Bill Voth of the Panthers) included linebacker Jon Beason, safety Roman Harper, and cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman.