Yesterday, wide receiver Steve Smith announced that this year would be his final season in the NFL. According to ESPN.com, Steve Smith said, “If this is going to be the end, this is going to be the best place to end. I think it’s always easier when you have a finish line. You get to let things loose.” This year will mark his 15th year in the NFL. He has had an incredible career to this point.
Steve Smith was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third-round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Smith wasn’t too impressive in his rookie season with 154 receiving yards. He didn’t record a touchdown. Smith’s best year came in 2005 when he had 103 receptions for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith would break the 1,000 yard receiving mark eight times. His worst year was in 2004. In a 24-14 loss to Green Bay on Monday Night Football, he broke his leg. That forced him to miss the rest of the year. He played 13 years in Carolina.
In the 2014 offseason, he agreed to a three-year $12 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Last year the Ravens made the playoffs with a 10-6 record. They knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round 30-17 before falling to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round 35-31.
Steve Smith should be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Heading into this season he has 13,262 receiving yards, ranking 14th on the All-Time list. Smith ought to be able to move up. If he has another 1,000 yard season he could be 9th on the list, passing James Lofton who had 14,004 yards in his career. Smith was also voted to be in the Pro Bowl five times and was twice on the First-Team All-Pro team. In 2005, he led the NFL in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions.
Smith has had a brilliant career. There is one thing missing on his resume, a Super Bowl ring. He appeared in one Super Bowl in 2003 with the Carolina Panthers. They lost to the New England Patriots 32-29. Adam Vinatieri kicked a 41-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to seal the win for the Patriots. This year will be his last chance at winning a ring. The Ravens will do all they can to win a Super Bowl for Steve Smith.
Lack of a Super Bowl ring will not hurt his resume to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The NFL Hall of Fame voters need to look at his body of work. It speaks for itself. He is one of the best receivers in the game. They should vote him on the first ballot. His first opportunity will be in 2021. If he isn’t in it on the first ballot, he will eventually be in.
What do you think of Steve Smith’s career?
Man, he was great for the Panthers. Crazy the longevity of players’ careers in high contact sports to those which contact is minimal or nonexistent. Golfers are playing in pro tournaments into their 60s and NFLers can’t live UNTIL 60!
I think that a lack of a Super Bowl ring can definitely hurt his chances. Look at all of the guys out there that could be in the Hall of Fame, but are not because they lack a Super Bowl ring, including Tiki Barber. So, he could make the Hall of Fame, but I don’t think he is going to be a first ballot.