JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Retired receiver Jimmy Smith, whose life has been defined as much for off-field problems as on-field plays, will be the next member of Jacksonville’s ring of honor.
The team announced Tuesday that Smith will be inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars during halftime of its Dec. 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Smith will join offensive tackle Tony Boselli (2006), original owners Wayne and Delores Weaver (2011), running back Fred Taylor (2012) and quarterback Mark Brunell (2013) in the Pride.
The 47-year-old Smith is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (862), receiving yards (12,287) and receiving touchdowns (67). He still holds 11 team records, including most consecutive games with a reception (86).
”There is no question that Jimmy Smith was one of the best players to ever wear a Jaguars uniform,” owner Shad Khan said in a statement. ”His contributions in the early years were critical to the success the Jaguars enjoyed during that time. The fact that most of his records have stood for 10 years without being surpassed underscores what a great player he was. I wish I had personally seen Jimmy play more frequently, but I am very happy that we will appropriately honor him at EverBank Field in December.”
Smith abruptly retired in May 2006 after 12 NFL seasons, denying speculation that he was facing a yearlong suspension for another violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Known for his ability to out-muscle or outrun defenders, Smith likely would have been among the first inductees into the Pride. But a number of arrests, including several on drug charges, delayed his inclusion.
Smith was arrested three times in Jacksonville (2001, 2008 and 2009) on DUI and drug charges, and suspended four games in 2003 for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
He was arrested twice more in Mississippi (2010, 2012). His last one violated his probation and landed him a six-year sentence. He was placed on house arrest in 2013 and released a year later. He remains on parole until March 10, 2017.
Although drugs affected his playing days and his retirement, injuries nearly derailed his NFL career.
The third receiver selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens, Smith broke his leg and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he needed an emergency appendectomy and suffered through infection and stomach problems. He missed the entire year. He didn’t play in 1994 after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.
In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent then-coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him get a tryout.
Smith became one of the league’s most feared wideouts, catching a franchise-record and NFL-leading 116 passes in 1999. He helped the Jaguars make the playoffs four consecutive seasons (1996-99) and was voted to five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-2001).
In 2001, Smith needed three operations to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. Some questioned whether he would play again, but he caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards that season. He also led the team in receptions the next four years until he called it quits.
Now, more than a decade later, his name and jersey number (82) will adorn the stadium.
—
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Add A Comment