Fansided

Former New York Giants WR Steve Smith Retires from NFL

By Josh Hill

August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Steve Smith (12) runs as Kansas City Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis (23) defends in the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Steve Smith (12) runs as Kansas City Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis (23) defends in the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Steve Smith (12) runs as Kansas City Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis (23) defends in the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Steve Smith (12) runs as Kansas City Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis (23) defends in the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL isn’t an easy place to make a living and a former 100-catch receiver has learned that the hard way. Former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith has retired from the NFL after just six seasons in the league.

Smith was most recently a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signing with the team at the beginning of April.

After coming into the league back in 2007 as a second round draft pick, Smith slowly started to earn his keep in the NFL playing in all 16 of the Giants regular season games during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The production from Smith showed that he could be a part of the Giants offense if he applied himself and that was reflected in his 1,000 yards receiving season in 2009.

But Smith’s production fell off in the following seasons and he wasn’t retained by the Giants after the 2010 season despite being named a Pro Bowl alternate for the NFC.

Smith then bounced around with the Eagles but failed to latch on like fans were hoping he would and his stints with the Rams and Buccaneers were even shorter as he played in no games with the Tampa.

His career isn’t going to be remembered for much, but Steve Smith stands as a testament of how hard it is to make it in the NFL even if you have a few good seasons.

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