| abstract | - Jim Smith (born July 20, 1955) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League. Smith would play a final season in the NFL playing for the Los Angeles Raiders. Smith was a standout flanker/wingback for the University of Michigan during the mid-1970s. A versatile, all-around threat, he averaged more than 7-yards running, more than 10 yards on punt returns, more than 20 yards on pass receptions and more than 17 yards on kickoff returns. In all, he gained 2,890 yards during his career. His gained 184 yards on pass receptions against Purdue -- at the time the second highest yardage in Michigan history. He received All Conference honors in the Big Ten.He was also named a First Team All American WR his senior year. With the Steelers, Smith was the third WR behind a pair of Hall of Famers, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. In the USFL, Smith was a dominant #1 receiver, leading the Stallions in receptions all 3 years. In 1983 made 51 catches for 756 yards and 3 scores. In 1984 he caught 89 balls for league-high 1,481 yards and 8 touchdowns in 1984. The leagues' final season, 1985, was Smith's best year as a pro. Smith would finish third in the league with 87 catches for 1,322 yards and lead all receivers with an astounding 20 TD receptions. He would make both the 1985 USFL all-League team and The Sporting News's 1985 USFL All-Star Team.
|
