The NFL announced on Wednesday the 122 nominees for the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This list will be modified down to 25 semifinalist in November and then 15 finalist in January. At that time, the selection committee will make their final decision about the class of 2022 to be enshrined, with their gold jackets and HOF rings in August, in Canton, Ohio.
Included in that group of nominees is legendary Carolina Panther wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. Smith was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Panthers with the 74th overall pick from the University of Utah.
Over his thirteen seasons with Carolina, Smith accumulated 12,197 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns on 836 receptions, all franchise records.
During the 2003 season, Smith played a vital role for the Panthers offense and helped them to their first NFC title in franchise history. He completed the regular season with 88 catches for 1,110 yards and 7 touchdowns. He passed the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career in 2003.
In the 2003 campaign, Smith and the Panthers appeared in Super Bowl XXXVIII against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. He caught 4 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, and had a kickoff return for 30 additional yards. Even in the 32-29 loss, Smith made a significant impact.
Smith injured his leg in the infancy of the 2004 season, which led many to doubt if he would continue to be his normal, explosive self. He answered the critics by bouncing back and having the best season of his career with a total of 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns. His best game from the 2005 regular season was against the Vikings. Smith was a man amongst boys with 11 catches for 201 yards. Performances such as these confirmed that he would be an all-time great in the NFL.
Steve Smith continued his domination in the 2005 NFL Playoffs. The services of Agent 89 were needed in the divisional round at Soldier Field, and Smith absolutely delivered. Following a ten-catch performance in a Wild Card round victory against the Giants, Smith continued his monster playoff run against the Bears. Most of Jake Delhomme’s 319 passing yards came from throwing it to Agent 89. Smith had a total of 12 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns in a close 29-21 victory.
Smith made five Pro Bowls during his illustrious career, in the years 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2011.
After his thirteen years in Carolina came to an end, Smith went to the Baltimore Ravens where he spent the final three seasons of his career. In 2014, Smith added another 2,534 yards and 14 scores from ages 35-37.
On January 2, 2017, Smith officially announced his retirement from the NFL. He was classified as the NFL’s eighth all-time leading receiver. He remains the only man of the top-nine on that list yet to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Joining Smith in their first years of eligibility are wide receivers Anquan Boldin, Devin Hester and Andre Johnson, offensive linemen Jake Long and Nick Mangold, defensive linemen DeMarcus Ware, Robert Mathis and Vince Wilfork and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.
