Steve Smith (defensive back)
{{Short description|American football player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Steve Smith
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number = 21, 22
| position = Cornerback / Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|6|28}}
| birth_place = Torrance, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 193
| high_school = San Pedro {{nowrap|(San Pedro, California)}}
| college = Oregon
| draftyear = 2002
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 246
| pastteams =
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2002}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2003}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2003}}–{{NFL Year|2004}})*
- Cologne Centurions ({{NFL Year|2004}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Defensive Player of the Game (2002)
| pfr = SmitSt21
}}
Steven Michael Smith (born June 28, 1979) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Oregon. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 35th pick of the seventh round (246th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft.
He was also a member of the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans of the NFL and the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe.
College career
Smith attended the University of Oregon from 1998 to 2001. In his senior season, he led the Ducks with nine interceptions, including three in the 2002 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, which earned him Defensive Player of the Game honors. As of 2014, he ranks 2nd all-time for pass break-ups in Oregon Ducks' history.{{cite web |last1=Highfill |first1=Bob |title=Homecoming: Wings and honors fly for former Duck, wife |url=https://www.recordnet.com/story/sports/college/football/2014/09/25/homecoming-wings-honors-fly-for/36303930007/ |website=Recordnet.com |publisher=Recordnet |access-date=21 August 2023}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
He entered the draft process for the 2002 NFL draft, receiving an invite to that year's combine.
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 5/8
| weight = 193
| dash = 4.55
| ten split = 1.55
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.22
| cone drill = 7.00
| vertical = 30.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 2
| arm span = 31 1/2
| hand span = 9 1/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1716&DraftYear=2002 |title=Steve Smith College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=December 28, 2024}}
}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 35th pick of the seventh round (246th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft. He was waived on September 1, 2002, and assigned to the practice squad on September 3. He was subsequently released on December 4, 2002, and signed to the active roster. He was re-signed again on March 26, 2003. He was waived on May 19, 2003.{{cite web |title=Steve Smith |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitSt21.htm#all_combine |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=21 August 2023}}
=New Orleans Saints=
=Tennessee Titans=
The Tennessee Titans then signed Smith on August 12, 2003. They later waived him on August 29. They subsequently signed him to their practice squad on September 2, 2003. On January 27, 2004, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Titans.
In the Titans fourth pre-season against the Green Bay Packers in 2004, Smith suffered a spine injury that would end his career.
=Cologne Centurions=
He played for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe. He intercepted one pass for a seven-yard return.{{cite web |title=Steve Smith |url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-smithste004#google_vignette |website=StatsCrew.com |publisher=Stats Crew |access-date=21 August 2023}}
Personal life
After retiring from football, Smith moved back to Eugene, Oregon, where he worked for UPS.
In 2013, he and his wife, Jamie, started a restaurant in Stockton, California called Smitty's Wings & Things. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2016.{{cite web |title=Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: "Smoked, Grilled and Fried" |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5768270/?ref_=tt_ch |access-date=15 August 2024 |publisher=IMDB}}
References
{{reflist|30em}} {{Jaguars2002DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Steve}}
Category:San Pedro High School alumni
Category:Players of American football from Torrance, California
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football safeties
Category:Oregon Ducks football players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:Tennessee Titans players