Steve Smith Sr.

Two-Time All-Pro, Five-Time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver

Steve Smith Sr. is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Carolina Panthers (2001-2013) and the Baltimore Ravens (2014-2016). Smith earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2005, the same season he got his second All-Pro selection. He was inducted into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2019. 

Smith first attended Santa Monica College, where he was teammates with Chad Johnson. After two years at Santa Monica, Smith transferred to the University of Utah. He set the record for yards per catch (20.6 average), and was voted All-Mountain West in 1999. 

Drafted in the third round in 2001 – he carried a grudge over being passed by so often that he used as motivation in the pros – he spent the majority of his rookie season as a special teams player. He was impactful that Smith made the All-Pro team. Impressively, he returned the opening kickoff of the first game of the season for a touchdown. 

In 2005, Smith emerged as one of the most productive receivers in the league, winning the “Triple Crown” by leading the NFL in receiving yards (1,563), receptions (103), and receiving touchdowns (12). 

He later played three seasons in Baltimore, amassing 1,000 yards in 2014 his first season as a Raven. 

Smith is the Panthers’ career leader in total touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards. At the time of his retirement, he ranked seventh in the NFL in all-purpose yards and in career receiving yards. 

Smith attended University High School in Los Angeles, playing football and participating in track and field. He excelled in the triple jump and 300-meter hurdles. 

Smith has always been focused on helping the community, and before every away game he and his family would donate shoes to the homeless. Since his playing career, Smith has appeared on NFL Network as an analyst. 

Steve'S CONTRIBUTIONS

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