Steve Smith Sr.

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Stevonne Smith (born May 12, 1979 in Lynwood, California) is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Smith is considered one of the best receivers in the league, with his speed and playmaking ability, and is consistently among the league leaders in receiving categories. Smith is also known for his fiery temper and is prone to frustration if he isn't performing as well as he expects.

High School Career

At University High School in Los Angeles, California, Smith was chosen for the All-California Interstate Football and All-Metro League teams.

College Career

Smith started at Santa Monica College, and stayed for two years before transferring to the University of Utah. During his time at Santa Monica, he made second team All-Western State Conference South in his sophomore year. While at Santa Monica Smith played with current Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson. Upon arriving at Utah, he established himself as the premier wideout in the conference, making the All-Mountain West Conference team both years he was there. He left holding the school record for yards per catch, recording an astounding 20.6 yards per catch.

Carolina Panthers

Smith was taken in the third round (74th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft. He spent the season primarily as a kick and punt returner, and led all rookies in net yardage with 1,994 yards, which was good enough for fourth in the league behind Priest Holmes, Marshall Faulk, and Derrick Mason. He was the only rookie chosen to the Pro Bowl, and joined Todd Sauerbrun as the only representatives from the Panthers. During the 2002 NFL season, Smith made the starting wide receiver corps, while still working kickoff duties. In one game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith became only the second player in NFL history to post two punt returns for touchdowns and post a reception for a touchdown in the same game. Smith was a critical part of the Panthers during their run to Super Bowl XXXVIII, and posted then career highs in receiving yards (1,110), receving touchdowns (7), and receptions (88). Smith was a boost to the Panthers during the postseason, and his 69-yard catch in double-overtime to top the St. Louis Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs ranks as the longest play to end a playoff game in NFL history. The Panthers did not get a chance to defend their NFC title the following season, however, as Smith suffered a broken leg in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers, and was one of fourteen Panthers players on injured reserve during the 2004 NFL season. Smith rebounded from the injury at the start of the following season, and had a superb year. He finished with 1563 yards which led all receivers and tied for first in receptions and touchdowns with 103 and 12 respectively. Furthermore he achieved 15.2 yards per catch, amongst the best for leading receivers. His season was marred by an incident on the 24th of December, in a game against the Dallas Cowboys when he was ejected following an altercation with defender Terrence Newman and a line judge. He and teammate Jake Delhomme were selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl. Smith also shared the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award with New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

Career statistics

Regular season

			Receiving				Rushing
Season	Team	League	GP	Rec	Yds	TD	Att	Yds	TD
2001	Carolina	NFL	15	10	154	0	4	43	0
2002	Carolina	NFL	15	54	872	3	1	-4	0
2003	Carolina	NFL	16	88	1110	7	11	42	0
2004	Carolina	NFL	1	6	60	0	0	0	0
2005	Carolina	NFL	16	103	1563	12	3	18	1
Regular season totals			62	252	3628	21	19	99	1

Playoffs

			Receiving				Rushing
Season	Team	League	GP	Rec	Yds	TD	Att	Yds	TD
2003-04	Carolina	NFL	4	18	404	3	1	7	0
Playoff totals			4	18	404	3	1	7	0

External links