• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Steve Smith, drafted by the New York Giants in the second round (51st overall) of the 2007 draft has officially announced his retirement last night. Smith announced his retirement by releasing a statement through his current employers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “I’ve been blessed to play the game that I love at the highest level for the past six years,” Smith said in the statement. “I will always cherish my time with the New York Giants and our Super Bowl victory in 2007.”

Starting to be known in NFL circles as the ‘other Steve Smith’, in 2009, Smith finished second in the NFL in total receptions with 107, and also had 1,220 receiving yards to go along with 7 touchdowns (all career highs). He also reached his only pro-bowl that year. It goes to show that the NFL truly does stand for ‘Not For Long’, as Smith was primed to be a reliable receiver in this league for years to come, until he suffered a devastating knee injury in December of 2010. It was reported that Smith turned down five-year, $35 million offer from the Giants and GM Jerry Reese, just months before suffering his knee injury. Smith further infuriated the Giants brass when he decided to bolt to their division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles during their infamous off-season spending spree of 2011 (lockout shortened year), when they were dubbed the ‘dream team’ by Vince Young. The Eagles swooped in and signed smith to a 1-year deal with $2 million.

According to the Giants team doctors, they believed Smith would not be ready for the start of the season, and were planning to start him on the PUP list, meaning he would on the sidelines until at least week 6. Smith was assured by Eagles doctors that he would be ready before then, and in hindsight rushed his recovery in order to be ready for the season. One has to wonder if Smith had listened to the Giants doctors, and not the Eagles, if his career could have been prolonged. Smith wasn’t the first to suffer a devastating knee injury, and he won’t be the last. It is a shame to see someone who had so much talent walk away from the game only 6 years into a once promising career.

Smith will always be remembered by Giants fans as a crucial wide-out who helped them raise the Lombardi Trophy in 2007. He converted on a 3rd-and-11 with 40 seconds left in the Super Bowl, setting up Plaxico Burress’ game winning catch in the corner of the end-zone. Smith, Burress and Amani Toomer made a formidable passing attack, and one is only left to wonder what could have been.

Smith does walk away with a Super-Bowl ring, money in his pocket and great memories. Even though his career was cut short, ask Dan Marino, Cris Carter, Randy Moss and the ‘other’ Steve Smith if they would trade in a couple years for the memory of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY

By Vernon McKenzie

Graduate of New Institute Of Technology with a BA in Communications with a focus on Television Radio. Owner and Executive Producer of PureSportsNY

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