CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Steve Smith era in Carolina is over. The Panthers released their all-time leading receiver on Thursday after 13 seasons. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said it "was not an easy decision" in a press release. "Steve has been one of the NFLs finest receivers for over a decade and has been the face of the franchise for a large part of the teams history," Gettleman said. "As a team, we made a step forward last year; however we are also a team in transition, which is a part of the NFL." Smith said on radio Thursday hes not angry about the decision. "Its devastating to hear that you are getting fired, but its also exciting because that frees me up to be pursued by other teams," Smith told Taylor Zarzour of SiriusXMs Bleacher Report Radio." I have never become a free agent before so I will get a few free dinners out of it at some nice expensive restaurants. I want to enjoy the experience that, frankly, I will never experience again." Smith reiterated he wants to play in the NFL and that being released "awoke a sleeping giant" inside of him. The decision comes one day after Smiths agent, Derrick Fox, told The Associated Press that the 13-year NFL veteran "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that." Fox said the Panthers never asked Smith, who turns 35 in May, to restructure his current contract. The Panthers were unable to trade Smith, who was set to cost $7 million under this years salary cap. The Panthers still owe Smith $3 million this season. The decision has not been a popular one among Carolina fans. Gettleman addressed that in his press release. "When I took this position I knew that difficult decisions would have to be made along the way," Gettleman said. "To move on from a storied veteran player is probably the most difficult of all. A decision not to be taken lightly. However, after much thought I feel very strongly its the right one." "As Ive stated many times, all decisions I make will be in the long-term best interest of the Carolina Panthers. Decisions, either popular or unpopular, have to be made for the greater good and it is imperative to take an unemotional global view. Sometimes it may appear that short term interests will suffer, and I can assure you we have no interest in taking a step back from our 2013 accomplishments." The Panthers also lost wide receivers Domenik Hixon and Ted Ginn Jr. to free agency on Thursday. Hixon signed with the Chicago Bears and Ginn with the Arizona Cardinals. Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told The Associated Press he has signed with the Minnesota Vikings for a deal that could pay him $15 million over three years with incentives. One possible replacement at wide receiver is free agent Hakeem Nicks, a Charlotte native who played for New York Giants. The Smith move marks the end of an era for the Panthers. Smith joined the team as a third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001. He made an immediate impact in the NFL, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against the Vikings. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He is Carolinas all-time leader with 75 total touchdowns and has 836 receptions for 12,197 yards. "On the football field Steve had a competitive arrogance that (was) second to none -- second to none," said former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme in a telephone interview. "That helped him be as good as he was. He made other guys step up their game. But off the field he was totally different. He loves his wife and his family. Hes a genuinely good person with a great heart." Panthers coach Ron Rivera said in the release: "He is a great competitor with Hall of Fame-worthy statistics and has made a great contribution to our community." Fox said Smith would have welcomed a chance to move inside to slot receiver, but the team never offered him that opportunity. As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Delhomme said that was a "humbling experience" for Smith, who apologized to Lucas and the teams fans after the incident. Despite the two incidents, Smith was immensely popular with the fan base, in large part due to his production on the field. He also worked hard to change his public image over the last several years and has been an active member of the Charlotte community. When asked if he was surprised Smith was released, Delhomme said, "It does surprise, but thats the NFL. I mean, look, Peyton Manning plays for the Denver Broncos -- that the way it goes." NOTES: Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson announced Thursday on Twitter he has re-signed with Carolina for a fourth season. Anderson tweeted: "Happy to be coming back to Charlotte next season!" Fake Athletics Jerseys .Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seems to be leaning the fiscally responsible way.Let me put it like this: Its going to be a challenge, Jones said of re-signing both of Dallas biggest potential free agents. Oakland Athletics Pro Shop . - New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has an agreement to bring back outside linebacker Parys Haralson on a one-year deal. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/. Terry came from Boston along with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce but has appeared in just 35 games after a knee injury, averaging 4.5 points on 36 per cent shooting. Evans was a favourite of fans but not coach Jason Kidd, who used him in just 30 of their 51 games. Wholesale Athletics Jerseys . Snedekers best result so far this year is a tie for eighth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. He sits 113th in FedEx Cup standings and has dropped to 31st in world rankings — not the results expected from a player ranked fourth in the world only two years ago. Chris Bassitt Athletics Jersey . JOHNS, N.DENVER -- Nearing the end of what could be his final season, Todd Helton showed hes still far from done. Helton, who turned 40 this month, homered twice and matched a decade-old career high with six RBIs to power the Colorado Rockies past the Cincinnati Reds 9-6 on Friday night. "Two-homer games, six RBIs, that doesnt happen too often nowadays," said Helton, who has hinted at the possibility of retirement but has yet to formally announce his plans. "Ive got to take it all in and enjoy it." Jorge De La Rosa pitched six effective innings for his 15th win. Heltons 28th career multihomer game and first since 2011 left him one hit shy of 2,500. "Hes a very special player and its a blessing to play with guys like that," De La Rosa said. The first of Heltons two three-run homers came in the fourth off Bronson Arroyo (13-10), roughed up for six runs and nine hits over 3 1-3 innings in his shortest outing of the season. He issued a one-out walk in the first, ending a 30-inning string without one, and had his four-game winning streak snapped. Helton homered again in the seventh off reliever Logan Ondrusek, his 11th of the season. "The old guy can still do it. This was a special night for Todd and everyone who was here to see it," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. Both times, Troy Tulowitzki and Wilin Rosario hit successive singles to set the table for Helton, who also had six RBIs against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 29, 2003. "Ive seen him do a lot of damage," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He may not be as quick, or this or that, back might be bothering him. Hes a smart hitter, plus we made some mistakes, especially the last one. It was down the middle of the plate." Tulowitzki singled and Rosario doubled to put runners at second and third in the eighth when Helton, given a rousing ovation by the crowd, came up for his final at-bat. He worked the count full, fouling off a couple of pitches from newly recalled reliever Zach Duke before finally striking out. Helton said he appreciated the warm reception and acknowledged he thought about hitting one more out of the park. "I was thinking three three-run homers in a game would have been really cool," Helton said with a smile. "It didnt work out, but thats all right. We can save it for another day." De La Rosa (15-6) allowed three runs and eight hits to win his fifth consecutive start. He improved to 9-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 13 home starts this season. The Rockies were trailing 2-1 when Tulowitzki and Rosario singled to start the fourth.dddddddddddd Helton followed by driving Arroyos offering into the seats in the second deck above the right-field scoreboard. "Even in his older years, hes still quick enough to get to the ball on the inner half sometimes, and you can see his wheels turning," Arroyo said. "Sometimes he can guess right. And hes been a guy over the years thats definitely been a challenge for me to get out. It was a 1-0 changeup. He could have popped up to short but he squared it up, broke the game open a bit." Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon followed with singles and both scored when Charlie Culbersons line-drive double to left sailed over the head of Ryan Ludwick, who appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball. Arroyo retired De La Rosa on a grounder for the first out of the inning and was relieved by Alfredo Simon. The Rockies also touched up Arroyo for a run in the first when rookie Corey Dickerson led off with a triple and scored on D.J. LeMahieus double. The Reds tied it in the second on the first of Ryan Hanigans two RBI singles. He also singled home Todd Frazier, aboard on a leadoff double, in the fourth. Ludwick hit a two-out solo homer in the fourth. In the sixth, with the Rockies in front by three, Hanigan was hit by a pitch and pinch-hitter Cesar Izturis doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. But De La Rosa got Shin-Soo Choo on a grounder and struck out Brandon Phillips, the last batter he faced. Helton hammered a 1-0 offering from Ondrusek in the seventh for his second three-run shot. Phillips hit a two-run single off reliever Jeff Francis in the ninth, and Devin Mesoraco had a sacrifice fly. NOTES: The Rockies finished with 19 hits, one shy of their season high. ... Before the game, the Reds recalled Duke from Triple-A Louisville to add a left-hander to their bullpen. RHP Nick Christiani was optioned to Louisville to make room. ... Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez (sprained finger) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend and could be activated from the 15-day DL next week. ... RHP Juan Nicasio (8-6) is set to pitch the second game of the series against Reds RHP Greg Reynolds (0-2). ... Injured Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt has told club officials that he plans to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair the torn ligament in his pitching elbow. He faces at least a yearlong rehab. ' ' '