J-State's Jimmy Smith to call it quits after 13-year NFL career
Veteran wide receiver Jimmy Smith of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who rose from relative obscurity and a number of personal setbacks to become one of the NFL's career pass catching leaders, announced last week that he is retiring after 13 years in the league.
Smith, a Jackson State product, was the third receiver
selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens going
in the second round, 36th overall, to the Dallas Cowboys. He broke
his leg however and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he
needed an emergency appen-dectomy and suffered through infection and
stomach problems causing him to miss the entire year. He didn't play
in 1994, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.
In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother reportedly sent then coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout. He made the most of his chance, teaming with Keenan McCardell to help land the Jaguars in the playoffs in only their second season.
Smith went on to earn five selections to the Pro Bowl and develop a resume that places him among the all-time greats and perhaps as the Jaguars' greatest player ever. He is also the final link to the franchise's inaugural season, 1995.
Along the way he overcame a 2003 suspension for violating
the league's substance abuse policy and an addiction that caused him to
spend several weeks in rehab.
"It's hard because I know I can still go out there and do it," said Smith, known as J-Smooth by his peers and teammates. "I just figure it's not in my heart to. If I'm going to play, it's got to be 100 percent. I won't get out there and not give it my all. If I can't give it my all to this organization and the fans, I'm just not going to do that. This is just not the type of person that I am.
"It's best for me to leave on a high note. I want to be able to enjoy my legacy."
The 37-year-old receiver led the Jags with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th with 12,287 yards receiving. He has more receptions than every receiver in the Hall of Fame, and only Marvin Harrison has had more catches and yards receiving than Smith since 1996.
Beginning in 1996, Smith posted nine 1,000-yard receiving seasons in ten years, setting his personal high with 116 receptions and 1,626 yards in 1999.
"He was one of the great Jaguars and certainly one of the great receivers in NFL history," said James Harris, the former Grambling State and NFL quarterback who is now the team's vice president of player personnel. "Jimmy is not one of the most acclaimed guys, but he's one of the most respected receivers in the game.
"Most people will say that he's one of the best pure route runners in the game, and we all hate to see Jimmy go."
"I thought I had another year in me," Smith said. "I've been struggling with whether I should play an extra year or leave while I can still walk away, while my knees are still intact.
"It's best to leave on top. Not many players in the NFL get a chance to do what I'm doing today and walk away from the game happy. I can live the rest of my life happy."
© 2006 Azeez Communications, Inc.