| Steve Smith was born on May 12, 1979 in | | | | he started to receive attention from NFL scouts. |
| Lynwood, California. Although Smith did not have | | | | In the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft the |
| the easiest life as a young child, he worked as | | | | Carolina Panthers chose Smith. Although he did not |
| hard as he could to be a success on the football | | | | get to play a lot of wide receiver during his first |
| field. And even though he has made it big in the | | | | season, he did make his mark on special teams. |
| NFL, this has not stopped him from working hard | | | | Smith led all rookies with nearly 2,000 net yards |
| day in and day out. This is one of the main | | | | on kick and punt returns. Not only was this top |
| reasons that Smith has become known as one of | | | | for rookies, but it also put him at the top of list |
| the top wide receivers in the league. | | | | among everybody in the league. |
| After high school Smith decided to attend Santa | | | | In 2002, Smith earned a spot as a starting wide |
| Monica Jr. College. Although he did not attend a | | | | receiver, and since then he has been showing up |
| four year college right out of high school, again, | | | | opposing defenses. Smith has been named to the |
| this did not stop him from working for his goals. | | | | Pro Bowl three times, and is sure to see many |
| After two stellar years at Santa Monica, Smith | | | | more of these as his career moves forward. |
| caught the eye of the coaching staff at the | | | | With plenty more years to play, Steve Smith has |
| University of Utah. Although he had a great | | | | the chance to be one of the best wide receivers |
| career at Utah, it was not until an impressive | | | | in NFL history. |
| performance at the Blue-Gray All Star Game that | | | | |
