Jimmy Smith, the former star receiver of the Jacksonville Jaguars is in big trouble, serving a six-year prison term in Mississippi on drug and weapons charges, according to reports.
The 44-year-old five-time Pro Bowler was not squeaky clean during his 12-year career, in which he spent 11 seasons with the Jaguars. Smith was arrested on DUI charges in 2001, and in 2003 he was suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He was arrested for DUI again in 2008, and on drug charges in 2009; in both instances he got probation.
Now, Smith is in the Mississippi Department of Corrections serving two years for "possession of a weapon by a convicted felon," and four years for the possession of cocaine. Because of this, he will now be remembered as a cautionary tale, rather than as one of the best, most consistent wide receivers in NFL history to lace up a pair of cleats.
Smith is the Jacksonville Jaguars' career leader in receptions (862), receiving yards (12,287), and touchdowns (67) and is miles ahead of the next best player in all three categories, Keenan McCardell. Smith made five Pro Bowls, is 17th among all NFL receivers in the history of the league in receiving yards, 16th in receptions, and 39th in receiving touchdowns.
News of Smith's demise is especially tragic when considered alongside the plight of current Jaguars' wideout Justin Blackmon, who has already been in trouble twice while calling himself an NFL player, despite beginning his career just last year.
Blackmon was arrested for a DUI while still in college at Oklahoma State, then was charged with the same offense last offseason. Claiming his problems were behind him, and evolving into one of the Jaguars' two best targets last year, Blackmon appeared to have righted his ship. However, he was suspended recently for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Blackmon likely cost himself $11 million in guaranteed money in the process.
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