Tampa, FL – Wide receiver Steve Smith has decided to retire after six NFL seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Wednesday.
Smith, who went to the Pro Bowl with the New York Giants in 2009 after setting a franchise season record with 107 receptions that year, has played in only 27 games over the past three campaigns due to knee problems. He had signed a one- year contract with the Buccaneers in April.
The 28-year-old entered the league as a second-round draft choice of the Giants in 2007 and won a Super Bowl with the club as a rookie, then finished second in the league in receptions while totaling 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns two years later. Smith's numbers slipped to 48 catches and 529 yards as he missed seven games the following season, and the Giants opted not to re-sign him as a free agent.
Smith joined the rival Philadelphia Eagles for the 2011 season, but managed a disappointing 11 catches in nine games while again missing significant time with injuries. The USC product had just 14 receptions for 131 yards as a member of the St. Louis Rams last year.
In 64 career games, Smith recorded 245 catches for 2,641 yards and 12 touchdowns.
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