Steve Smith Pro Bowl Selections

Lore & Background

A five-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro (including a 2011 selection from Pro Football Focus), Smith emerged as one of the NFL's most productive wide receivers in history, leading the league in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns in 2005. At the time of his retirement, Smith ranked seventh in NFL career all-purpose yards (19,180), seventh in NFL career receiving yards (sixth among wide receivers all-time) (14,731), twelfth in career receptions (1,031), and 26th in receiving touchdowns (81). Smith amassed (89) total touchdowns in the regular season and (100) total touchdowns including the postseason. Smith emerged as one of the most statistically efficient wide receivers of all-time, in the 2005 NFL season Smith became the only player in NFL history to lead the league in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receptions (receiving triple crown) despite being on a team that was ranked (28th) in pass attempts. In the 2008 NFL season Smith became the only player in NFL history to lead the league in receiving yards per game despite being on an offense that was last in pass attempts. In 2008, Smith produced the highest yards per team pass attempt (RY/TPA) in the modern era with a rating of (4.03). Smith also has the highest yards per route run (YPRR) in NFL history with a rating of (3.87) from 2008. Smith is currently tied for 5th all-time in 100-yard receiving games alongside Andre Johnson and Terrell Owens with (51). Smith’s dominance extended into the postseason, where he holds the NFL record for the highest career receiving yards per game average (91.0) among players with a minimum of 10 playoff games.

In Their Own Story

The locker room buzzed with anticipation on that January afternoon in 2002. A rookie, still adjusting to the speed of the pros, Smith sat quietly while teammates discussed the upcoming game. Then the call came through from the league office. He had been selected for his first Pro Bowl. It was a surreal moment for a young man who had just survived an NFL draft where he wasn't expected to go early. That selection marked not just personal validation, but the beginning of a dynasty in Charlotte.

Reader's Guide

Steve Smith was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round (74th overall) of the 2001 NFL draft. He spent a majority of his rookie season as a kick and punt returner, leading all rookies in net yardage with 1,994 yards. In his first play as a professional, Smith returned the opening kickoff of the first game of the season for a touchdown. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and earned first team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. During the 2002 season, Smith earned a starting position as a wide receiver and continued as the team's kick returner and punt returner. He finished the 2002 season with 54 receptions for 872 yards and three touchdowns. His 55 punt returns and two punt return touchdowns led the NFL. In the 2003 season, Smith played a critical role for the Panthers offense and helped lead them to their first NFC title in franchise history. He finished the regular season with 88 receptions for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, he caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' 32–29 loss to the New England Patriots. Smith suffered a broken leg during the 2004 NFL season opener and was out for the remainder of the year. In the 2005 NFL season, Smith recovered from his injury to have the best season of his career. He earned the 'Triple Crown' of receiving, leading the NFL in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563), and receiving touchdowns (12).

Did You Know?

• Steve Smith was a standout track athlete in high school, with personal bests of 14.95 seconds in the 110m hurdles and 38.73 seconds in the 300m hurdles.
• In his first play as a professional, Smith returned the opening kickoff of the first game of the 2001 season for a touchdown.
• Smith is the only player in NFL history to lead the league in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receptions (receiving triple crown) despite being on a team ranked 28th in pass attempts (2005).
• Smith holds the NFL record for the highest career receiving yards per game average in the postseason (91.0) among players with a minimum of 10 playoff games.