Panthers' Christian McCaffrey reunites with man he helped save

Shanna McCarriston

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Panthers' Christian McCaffrey reunites with man he helped save image

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Christian McCaffrey, his brothers and his friends helped save Dan Smoker Sr.'s life in March.

Over the weekend, the Panthers running back was able to spend time with Smoker and his family after flying them to Charlotte for Carolina's Week 3 game against Cincinnati.

Smoker, who has lived in Cincinnati for more than 50 years, was able thank McCaffrey again in person. Smoker also witnessed McCaffrey's Panthers beat his Bengals, 31-21.

WATCH: Top plays from McCaffrey's 194-yard day

During the offseason, McCaffrey and his group were hiking in Colorado when they came across Smoker, who was hiking with his 13-year-old grandson Eli. They saw the 72-year-old Smoker fall about 20 feet and land on rocks. The group sprung into action, calling 911 and climbing down to Smoker. They stabilized his head and performed chest compressions until the paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital. Smoker survived despite a handful of injuries.

The day after the rescue, McCaffrey and his family went to see Smoker in the hospital.

Smoker's son, Dan Smoker Jr., told Sporting News on Sunday about his reaction back in the spring when he found out who had helped save his father.

"I was amazed when we figured out who all the folks were," Smoker Jr. said. "Not just Christian, but Max, Dylan and Michael Mann as well. They were so humble. It wasn't about them. They just wanted to make sure we were being taken care of."

After the game, McCaffrey reflected on the weekend reunion, saying, “It was really cool, them being able to come out here and spend a little bit of time with them. ... The whole Smoker family, I can’t thank them enough for coming out here, all the stuff they’ve been through."

The Smoker family spent the weekend exploring Charlotte and shopping with McCaffrey, who brought them to Academy Sports + Outdoors to pick out Panthers gear for the game.

Smoker Sr. was also able to meet fellow "Cincinnati guy" in Panthers star Luke Kuechly. Smoker Jr. said spending time with the players was one of the highlights of the weekend.

"It was all incredible," he said, "but watching the practice yesterday and getting to meet Luke (Kuechly), Cam (Newton) and Julius (Peppers) was very cool." 

Smoker Jr. said his father has been a Bengals fan "basically since they were formed," but the Panthers now hold a special place in Smoker Sr.'s life.

After the game, Kuechly spoke of the time he spent with the Smoker family.

"It was awesome," Kuechly said. "He came to walk-throughs the other day. He’s a Cincinnati guy; he lives right down the street from where I went to high school. It’s a great story with him and Christian, and it was just fun to see him down here."

McCaffrey put on a show for the Smoker family and the fans at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday with 28 carries for 194 scrimmage yards. He even became the first player in franchise history to follow a 100-yard receiving game with a 100-yard rushing game.

But Sunday was about more than football for McCaffrey, Smoker Sr. and his family, who say this game capped a rollercoaster, six-month journey. 

Shanna McCarriston