Carolina’s Steve Smith gives $100,000 to victims of Aurora shooting

Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith is donating $100,000 to the victims of the Aurora, Colo., shooting.

Smith has no affiliation with Aurora and didn’t know anybody who was injured during the incident but the massacre struck a chord with him.

Smith said his eldest son Peyton was at a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Returns” in Charlotte, N.C., the same night that a gunman opened fire on a theater in Aurora, killing 12 and injuring 58.

“I can’t imagine getting someone severely injured, one, and then, two, trying to figure out how to pay for it,” Smith told reporters at the Panthers training camp.

Smith decided to announce his donation through a press release to encourage others to make contributions.

“Economic times are tough right now and [my family] has the means to do it,” Smith said. “We have a chance to lead and hopefully other people will see that.

“People get prideful and say, ‘Hey, this guy did that. Why don’t I do more?’ ... I don’t think it’s a publicity job, I think it’s a chance for people to think about what are you here for. Are you here to store up your treasures or are you going to give it to people who are obviously in need?”

ALSO:

Lane Kiffin meets with Penn State’s Silas Redd

Forward Antawn Jamison is excited to be a Laker

London Olympics: Where athletes face the ultimate blood test