On Monday, Steve Smith, Sr. announced he would retire after the 2015 season. When Smith walks away from the game, football fans will lose not only a great wide receiver, but one of the most entertaining and colorful personalities in professional sports. Here are some of the Steve Smith moments we'll remember best.
1) That time he went waka waka on "Pacman"
It is well known that Steve Smith plays angry. Very, very angry. No play better showcases his inner rage then the time Adam "Pacman" Jones made the mistake of trying to get between Smith and the end zone.
2) That time he made a broken-arm touchdown
Sometimes playing angry and undaunted worked against Smith. In Week 16 of the 2009 season, Smith hurled himself in front of a dangerous pass. Smith caught the ball, took a devastating blow and somehow managed to stay on his feet before waltzing in for the score. Smith had dozens of these plays throughout his career, but what makes this one so fantastic is the fact that he took the hit, took another hit, held onto the ball and scored... with a broken arm.
3) That time he caught the game winner vs. the Rams in 2004
What play most exemplified Smith's career? Probably the play when he scored with a broken arm, but this one can't be too far behind.
Let me set the stage. The year: 2004. St. Louis Rams vs. Carolina Panthers. NFC Divisional Playoff game. The game is in the middle of the second overtime period and the Panthers have the ball on their own 30-yard line. What was one of the longest NFL playoff games in history ended seconds after Smith got the ball in his hands. Enjoy watching him hit top gear and fly by the defense.
4) That time he made "careering" matter
Smith's best game in the NFL came in a 2006 playoff game (against the then-vaunted Chicago Bears defense). Smith racked up 12 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns against what was considered to be the best defense in the NFL. For his efforts, he sits fourth on the list of most receiving yards in a single game.
5) That time Smith entered God Mode
This clip above and the title given to it speak for themselves.
6) That time he made trash talking an art form
Smith might be the best active trash talker in sports. His quips and one liners are the envy of guys like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. Some of Smith's greatest moments came when his helmet was off and the microphones were on.
Here are a few of our favorite lines:
After scoring a touchdown against his former team, Smith walked over to a cameraman on the sideline and said, "Put the nails in the coffin, take your --- back to Carolina...and while you're there, mow my lawn."
Postgame after shredding Rams corner Janoris Jenkins: "He's just another notch in my bedpost."
After a Monday night win against the Saints: "I kind of tried this thing this offseason -- made a pact with myself -- I look in the eyes of all my victims before I take their lunch money."
After tackling Titans linebacker Avery Williamson: "I body-slammed him, so I think that's really a testament [to] their lack of strength and conditioning coaching down there in Tennessee. Five-nine, 194-pound guy bodyslams their linebacker... Man, he needs to get his weight up."
7) That time he became the NFL's Fred Astaire of the touchdown dance
Smith is flat out the best touchdown dancer in the NFL. He has always had this title (glares at Chad Johnson) and always will have this title until he retires (nods towards Victor Cruz).
8) That time he told an elephant to "Ice up, son"
Smith's trash talking knows no bounds. While on safari in Africa, Smith used every opportunity to stay in mid-season trash-talking form, as demonstrated by this selfie he took with an elephant. It's 11-foot, 10,000 pound frame couldn't even dissuade Smith from throwing in a verbal jab.
9) That time he lit up his former team like everyone thought he would
When Smith signed with the Baltimore Ravens, we all expected him to have a sizable chip on his shoulder when it came time to play his former team. We were correct. Smith demolished the Carolina Panthers to the tune of 159 yards and two touchdowns, including this memorable 61-yard snag.
10) That time he delivered a sugar-glazed peace offering to Ladarius Webb
Webb is far from the first teammate to scuffle with Smith on the practice field. What does make Webb noteworthy, however, is the peace offering he received from Smith the very next day. Smith extended the olive branch by picking up a morning treat for Webb, and of course, posting it on Twitter as well.
He is a kind and benevolent gridiron despot.
11) That time he punked a Twitter troll with an expertly-timed reply
Athletes occasionally respond to abrasive comments on Twitter, but it should surprise no one that Smith took this concept to another level. Last year, a fan took a shot at Smith, posting a picture of an old man and calling Smith #WashedUp after the veteran signed with the Ravens. Smith didn't respond, initially. Instead, he saved the tweet and waited until the DAY of his 36th birthday to drop this gem:
12) That time he explained, in detail, how the Ravens will bully you at lunch
Smith has long been a great subject for interviews and his departure to Baltimore did nothing to change that. In a conversation prior to the 2014 season, Smith explained -- and we mean really explained -- how he fit in with his new team's bullying style of play. He emphasized the bully part.
Yes, Smith will take your lunchbox. He'll take your juice box...and your applesauce. He'll also take your spork.
Then, he'll break that spork because he's Steve Smith and he's not messing around.
13) That time he told Rich Eisen how he will destroy his opponents
For many, a farewell tour is viewed as a respectful homage to a person or athlete who has found success over many years, a peaceful affair with much applause and perhaps a curtain call.
Smith feels differently. During Tuesday morning's edition of The Rich Eisen Show, Smith explains, "I will wound, damage, and puncture a lot of people on my way out."
That's certainly one way of doing it.
