JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars will induct receiver Jimmy Smith into the Pride of the Jaguars at halftime of Sunday’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings. He becomes the sixth person to be honored, joining former owners Wayne and Delores Weaver, offensive tackle Tony Boselli, running back Fred Taylor and quarterback Mark Brunell.
Smith is the Jaguars’ all-time leader in receptions (862), receiving yards (12,287) and receiving touchdowns (67). He had seven consecutive seasons in which he had more than 1,000 receiving yards -- including a team-record 1,636 in 1999 -- and surpassed that mark nine times during his 11-year career with the team.
Smith also owns franchise records for most receiving yards in a game (291 yards against Baltimore in 2000), most receptions in a season (116 in 1999) and most 100-yard games in a season (nine in 1999). Those marks came during a stretch when Smith made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1997 to 2001. Smith caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards and eight touchdowns in 2001 despite having three surgeries early in the year to remove scar tissue from his abdomen.
However, Smith also has a long list of off-the-field problems. He was arrested three times in Jacksonville, though only one came during his playing career, and eventually was sentenced to serve six years in Mississippi prison on weapons and drug charges. He was released after several months and was placed on house arrest in an intensive supervision program.
Still, he is one of the greatest players in franchise history and deserves his spot in the Pride. To remember how much of an impact he made with the franchise, here are Smith’s top five moments with the Jaguars:
Record-setting day
Smith caught 15 passes for a franchise-record 291 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-36 loss to Baltimore on Sept. 10, 2000. Smith’s 15 catches were one shy of Keenan McCardell’s 16, which he set against St. Louis in 1996. All three of Smith’s TD catches were from 40 or more yards: 40, 43 and 45. The last TD catch, a 40-yarder, put the Jaguars ahead 36-32 with 1:45 remaining.
Over 200 again
There are only four 200-yard receiving games in Jaguars history and Smith has two of them. He first did it against New Orleans on Nov. 21, 1999, when he caught nine passes for 220 yards and a touchdown, a 46-yard pass from Mark Brunell in the third quarter.
Upset special
The Jaguars pulled off one of the biggest upsets in playoff history by beating the top-seeded and 14-point favorite Broncos in 1996 to earn a trip to the AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars trailed 12-0 into the second quarter but then scored on six consecutive possessions, and Smith played a huge role on the last one. From the Denver 16-yard line, Brunell took a three-step drop and lofted the ball down the sideline toward Smith, who had gotten behind cornerback Tory James. Smith caught the ball three steps into the end zone before free safety Tim Hauck could get over to help. That play gave the Jaguars a 30-20 lead with 3:39 remaining. The Broncos scored another touchdown but the Jaguars held on for what remains the biggest victory in franchise history.
Triple threat
Smith turned in the first “wow” game of his career when he scored touchdowns three different ways in the Jaguars’ 31-23 loss to Denver on Dec. 3, 1995. Smith recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in the second quarter. He took a lateral on a kickoff return and went 89 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. He also caught a 14-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein in the fourth quarter.
OT winner
Smith had a couple overtime touchdown catches but this one stands out because it helped the Jaguars overcome nearly blowing the game. The Jaguars led the Jets 20-14 early in the fourth quarter on Sept. 25, 2005, but the Jets cut that to 20-17 with 9:36 to play. The teams traded possessions and then the Jaguars took over with 6:36 to play at their own 12-yard line. They moved the ball to the 35 before Reggie Williams fumbled after catching a pass from Byron Leftwich. The Jets took over and kicked a game-tying field with 1:21 to play. The teams traded interceptions in overtime and the Jaguars forced a Jets punt before taking over on the Jets’ 34. After Fred Taylor lost 2 yards and was stopped for no gain, Leftwich lofted a pass that Smith hauled in for a 36-yard touchdown.
