Baltimore Ravens: What will be Steve Smith’s legacy?

Baltimore Ravens’ wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Baltimore’s recent win over San Diego, effectively ending his season. Prior to this injury setback, the 36 year-old veteran had previously stated that this season will be his last in the NFL. If this is indeed the end of Steve Smith’s NFL career, how will he be remembered?

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Smith will be remembered as a player who came from very humble beginnings. As a smaller football player from the Los Angeles area, Smith was very rough around the edges and was not a highly touted high school prospect like Keyshawn Johnson who came from that area before him. With legendary football programs like USC and UCLA uninterested in recruiting the undersized Smith, he enrolled in nearby Santa Monica Community College and took a job at a local Taco Bell to pay his dues through college.

Needless to say, Santa Monica was far from the limelight of NFL stardom. However, it was during his two-year stint at Santa Monica that Smith ironically met up with another future receiving gem in Chad Johnson. The intense and competitive atmosphere at Santa Monica allowed for both players to eventually secure Division I scholarships. While Smith signed with the University of Utah, Johnson forged ahead to Oregon State in 1999.

Although this remarkable receiving tandem went on to earn 11 combined Pro Bowl berths, Smith was just a third round pick in the 2001 NFL draft while Johnson was a second round selection that year. Seen as more of a special teams player early on, it didn’t take long for Smith to prove his worth as an every down receiver. By his second season, Smith had cracked the Carolina Panthers’ starting lineup and logged 54 receptions in 2002. In thirteen seasons with the Panthers, Smith became the franchise’s all-time leader in touchdowns (67), receptions (836), and receiving yards (12,197).

Sep 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) gets tackled by New York Giants strong safety Antrel Rolle (26) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

As an athlete, Smith got the job done with his sure hands, great quickness in the open field, and a great feel for the game to find soft spots in the defense. Above all else, it was Smith’s will to win that allowed him to have such a productive pro career. Smith’s supreme will power was especially evident during most jump ball situations. Standing at just five-feet-nine inches, I was amazed at how often Smith could outleap bigger defenders for a ball. Seeing Smith win the battle for inside positioning on quick slant plays was also a regular occurrence during his time with the Panthers and Ravens.

Also setting Smith apart was his unique brand of trash talking. Throughout his playing days, Smith has come up with some very memorable one liners.

“Put your goggles on cause there’s going to be blood and guts everywhere,” Smith said as a threat to the Carolina Panthers following his release from the club.

“If I see him on the street, I’m going to bust him in his mouth,” Smith warned St. Louis Rams’ defender Janoris Jenkins during a postgame interview. And who could forget Smith’s taunt directed towards cornerback Aqib Talib to “ice up son” after Smith and the Panthers defeated the New England Patriots in 2013.

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) catches the ball to score a touchdown in front of New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Apparently, Smith may have designs on coming back for a 16th NFL season. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, Smith has scheduled a surgery on November 9th. Still ultra competitive and having racked up 670 yards and three touchdowns this season until his injury, Smith may still have something left in the tank.

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However, Smith will be 37 years old by the start of next season, so his future in the NFL is very uncertain. If we have indeed seen the last of Smith in the NFL, his legacy has been built by his ferocious work ethic and his determination to overcome steep odds to become a star in the National Football League.