Jaguars' WR Jimmy Smith to retire
Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com
Posted: 2 hours ago
Jimmy Smith, one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, has decided to retire from professional football.
FOXSports.com has learned that Smith — a five-time Pro Bowl pick who overcame several health issues and a drug addiction — has informed Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach Jack Del Rio of his intention to call it quits after 12 seasons.
The team is expected to hold a press a press conference Thursday to announce the decision — unless Smith has an 11th-hour change of heart.
His announcement came a day before the team opened a three-day minicamp.
Smith has 862 career receptions, which ranks seventh on the NFL's all-time list. And he is 11th with 12,287 receiving yards.
He trails the Indianapolis Colts' Marvin Harrison in both categories.
The 6-foot-1, 208-pound former Jackson State star had considered walking away from football following the Jags' playoff loss to the Patriots last season, but Del Rio asked him to take more time so Smith could be sure he was making the right choice.
What's more, the Florida Times Union reported last month that the 37-year-old Smith was also talked out of his decision to retire by friends, including the likes of former great Tim Brown.
Last season, Smith was still very productive at an advanced age (for an NFL player) as he led the Jaguars by catching 70 passes for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns.
That said many thought that he would return to the team for the 2006 season as the Jaguars' top WR while younger receivers Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford continue to develop.
Last week, Smith surprised team officials by informing them of his intention to step away. The team, however, asked that he take a few days to ponder his decision.
But he recently went to the Jaguars' workout complex to say goodbye to several members of the team.
Smith's longevity was surprising — even to him — especially considering what he overcame.
In 2001, he had 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 — despite being arrested in November that year for suspicion of drunken driving. Tests later revealed he had cocaine in his system. He vehemently denied using the drug.
He was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He then publicly acknowledged an addiction and spent several weeks in rehab.
He had other issues early in his career, too.
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, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.
In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout.
He made the most of his chance and set receiving records that could be hard to break.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
