Steve Smith Sr. facts for kids

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Several terms redirect here. For other uses, see Steve Smith (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Steve Smith Sr.

Smith in 2015

No. 89

Position:

Wide receiver
Return specialist

Personal information

Born:

May 12, 1979 (age 46)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Height:

5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)

Weight:

195 lb (88 kg)

Career information

High school:

University
(Los Angeles, California)

College:

Santa Monica (1997–1998)
Utah (1999–2000)

NFL Draft:

2001 / Round: 3 / Pick: 74

Career history

Carolina Panthers (2001–2013)
Baltimore Ravens (2014–2016)

Career highlights and awards

NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2005)
2× First-team All-Pro (2001, 2005)
Second-team All-Pro (2008)
5× Pro Bowl (2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011)
NFL receptions co-leader (2005)
NFL receiving yards leader (2005)
NFL receiving touchdowns co-leader (2005)
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2001)
Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor
First-team All-MW (1999)
Second-team All-MW (2000)
North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame

Career NFL statistics

Receptions:	1,031
Receiving yards:	14,731
Receiving touchdowns:	81
Return yards:	4,055
Return touchdowns:	6

Player stats at PFR

Stevonne Latrall Smith Sr. (born May 12, 1979), known as Steve Smith, is a former professional football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. He played mostly for the Carolina Panthers and also for the Baltimore Ravens.

Smith played college football for the Utah Utes. The Panthers picked him in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft. After retiring, Smith became a sports analyst and TV host for NFL Network. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times and was a three-time All-Pro. In 2005, he led the NFL in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He is the Panthers' all-time leader in total touchdowns (67), receptions (836), and receiving yards (12,197). By the time he retired, he was among the top players in NFL history for career receiving yards and receptions.

Early Life and High School Sports

Steve Smith went to University High School in Los Angeles. He played both football and track & field. In football, he played running back and defensive back. He was chosen for the All-Metro League and All-California Interscholastic Federation teams. He graduated in 1997.

In track & field, he set school records. He was known for his skills in high-hurdles, triple jump, and 300m hurdles.

College Football Journey

After high school, Smith attended Santa Monica College. He quickly became a talented football player for the Santa Monica Corsairs. He even played with future NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson.

His coach, Robert Taylor, told Smith to play for a good education, not just fame. Smith took this advice seriously and did very well in his classes. He never missed a day of school at Santa Monica.

After two years, Smith transferred to the University of Utah. He became a star wideout for the Utah Utes football team. He set a record for yards per catch with a 20.6 average. He was also chosen for the conference's all-star team twice. In his first year at Utah, he was fourth in the NCAA for punt return yards. He finished his college career with 78 catches for 1,608 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 1,365 return yards and 4 touchdowns on special teams.

Steve and his wife have even started a scholarship for athletes at the University of Utah.

Professional Football Career

The Carolina Panthers picked Steve Smith in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft. He was the 74th player chosen overall.

Playing for the Carolina Panthers

2001: Rookie Season

Smith spent most of his first year as a kick and punt returner. He led all rookies in total yards with 1,994. In his very first play as a professional, he returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown! He also caught 10 passes for 154 yards. The team, however, finished with only one win and fifteen losses.

2002: Becoming a Starter

In the 2002 NFL season, Smith became a starting wide receiver. He also continued to return kicks and punts. He ended the season with 54 catches for 872 yards and 3 touchdowns.

2003: Super Bowl Appearance

The 2003 season was a big one for Smith and the Panthers. He helped them reach their first NFC title game. He had 88 catches for 1,110 yards and 7 touchdowns. This was his first time getting over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

In the playoffs, Smith caught a 69-yard pass for a touchdown in double overtime against the St. Louis Rams. This win sent the Panthers to the next round. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, he caught 4 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers lost a close game to the New England Patriots, 32–29.

2004: Injury Setback

Smith broke his leg in the first game of the 2004 NFL season against the Green Bay Packers. This injury kept him out for the rest of the year.

2005: Amazing Comeback Season

In the 2005 NFL season, Smith made an incredible comeback. He had the best season of his career! He led the entire NFL in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563), and receiving touchdowns (12). This is known as the "Triple Crown" of receiving. He was only the third player in the Super Bowl era to do this. He also returned 27 punts for 286 yards.

Smith was amazing in the playoffs too. He helped the Panthers win two games before they lost in the NFC Championship. After this great season, Smith was invited to the 2006 Pro Bowl. He also won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

2006: Another Pro Bowl Year

Smith with the Panthers in October 2006

Even with some injuries, Smith had a strong 2006 season. He often faced two defenders but still managed 83 catches for 1,186 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was invited to his third 2007 Pro Bowl.

2007: Leading the Team

In the 2007 season, Smith started 15 games. He led the Panthers with 87 catches, 1,002 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns. He did this even though the team had four different starting quarterbacks due to injuries.

2008: Leading the League in Yards Per Game

Smith had a challenging start to the 2008 NFL season. He was involved in a disagreement with a teammate, Ken Lucas, which led to a two-game suspension. He also had a serious concussion during a preseason game. Despite this, Smith had a fantastic year. He caught 78 passes for 1,421 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. He led the NFL in receiving yards per game and was voted to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

2009: Injury Again

During the 2009 NFL season, Smith broke his left forearm while catching a touchdown. This injury made him miss the last game of the year. He finished with 982 yards and 7 touchdowns. He broke his arm again in June 2010 while playing flag football.

2010: A Tough Season

The 2010 NFL season was tough for the Panthers. They finished with only 2 wins and 14 losses. Smith still led the team in catches and receiving yards, but his numbers were lower than usual.

2011: Reaching Milestones

Smith started the 2011 NFL season very strong. He had 178 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first game. In Week 14, he reached 10,000 career receiving yards, becoming the 35th player in NFL history to do so. He finished the season with 1,394 yards and was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl.

2012: Consistent Performance

Smith played in all 16 games in 2012. He had 73 catches for 1,174 yards and four touchdowns.

2013: Final Panthers Season

In 2013, Smith continued to play well. He got his 800th career reception during this season. He was released by the Panthers on March 13, 2014.

Playing for the Baltimore Ravens

2014: Joining a New Team

Smith catching a pass for the Baltimore Ravens in a game against the Cleveland Browns in September 2014

Smith with the Ravens in 2014

After leaving the Panthers, Smith signed a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 4, he played against his old team, the Panthers. Smith had a great game, catching 7 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns as the Ravens won 38–10. In Week 15, he caught his 900th career reception. He finished the 2014 NFL season with 79 catches, 1,065 yards, and 6 touchdowns. The Ravens made the playoffs, and Smith helped them win their first playoff game before losing to the New England Patriots.

2015: Announcing Retirement and Injury

On August 10, 2015, Smith announced that the upcoming season would be his last. However, during a game in Week 8 against the San Diego Chargers, Smith tore his achilles tendon. This injury meant he would miss the rest of the 2015 NFL season. He ended the season with 46 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns in just seven games.

On December 30, 2015, Smith changed his mind and announced he would return for the 2016 season!

2016: Final Season and Retirement

Smith had another good year with the Ravens in 2016. He caught 70 passes for 799 yards and 5 touchdowns. In Week 4, he passed Andre Johnson to become the active NFL leader in receiving yards. Smith also reached 1,000 career receptions, becoming only the 14th player to do so. On January 2, 2017, Steve Smith officially announced his retirement from the NFL. He retired with 1,031 receptions, 14,731 yards, and 81 touchdowns.

Career Achievements and Records

Steve Smith achieved many impressive things during his NFL career:

In 2001, he was the first rookie since 1993 to make the Pro Bowl as a special teams player.
In 2003, his 404 postseason receiving yards were the second most ever in NFL playoff history.
In 2005, he became the first player since 1984 to lead the NFL in receptions for a team that ran the ball more than it passed.
Also in 2005, he won the NFL's "receiving triple crown," leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
In 2008, he was the only player in history to lead the league in receiving yards per game while on an offense that passed the ball the least.
Smith and Hall of Famer Tim Brown are the only players in NFL history with at least 1,000 receptions and touchdowns from runs, catches, punt returns, and kick returns.
He is one of only three players in history to return two punts for touchdowns and catch a touchdown pass in the same game.
He is the all-time Panthers leader in receiving yards (12,197).
He caught his 1,000th career reception on November 20, 2016.

NFL Records

Highest punt return average in a single game: 51.0 yards (December 8, 2002, vs Cincinnati Bengals).

Carolina Panthers Franchise Records

As of 2017, Steve Smith held many Panthers records, including:

Most career receptions (836) and most in a season (103 in 2005).
Most career receiving yards (12,197) and most in a season (1,563 in 2005).
Most career receiving touchdowns (67).
Most career all-purpose yards (16,607).
Most career punt return touchdowns (4).
Most games with 100+ receiving yards in a career (46) and in a season (10 in 2005).
Most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards (7).

Broadcasting Career

One month after retiring from the NFL, Smith signed a contract to become an analyst for NFL Network.

Before the 2021 Carolina Panthers season, Smith joined the Panthers' broadcast team to call preseason games. This was his first time calling a game live.

Since 2022, Smith has hosted NFL's Most Interesting Jobs on the NFL's YouTube channel. In this series, he visits different NFL teams to show the important work done by their support staff.

In 2023, Smith had a public disagreement with another player, Jerry Jeudy. Smith later apologized for his comments.

Personal Life and Community Work

In May 2008, Smith bought a part of a sports training center in Charlotte.

Smith is a Evangelical Christian. In 2007, he traveled to Togo and Nigeria to share his faith with soccer players.

Before every away game, Smith and his family would donate shoes to people experiencing homelessness. He would also wash their feet. His goal is to give out half a million pairs of shoes. He works with an organization called Samaritan's Feet to do this. He said, "This is an opportunity for me to give back, to serve."

Smith and his wife, Angie, have four children: Peyton, Baylee, Boston, and Steve Jr. Smith changed the name on his jersey to Smith Sr. when his son, Steve Jr., was born.

In 2017, it was reported that Smith secretly paid for the full college tuition of a Twitter personality and author, Elexus Jionde. He said it was about "paying it forward to someone else."

In 2019, Smith played in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On July 9, 2019, the Panthers announced that Steve Smith would be added to the team's Hall of Honor.