Jimmy Smith retired from the NFL in 2005 after 11 seasons playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, the former star finds himself in a Mississippi prison serving two terms -- giving him a planned release date of 2018.
Former WR Jimmy Smith serving 6-year prison term
The five-time Pro Bowler has been in prison since March after being convicted of firearm and cocaine possession.
A. Messerschmidt/Getty IMages sport
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Smith was arrested back in March, according to the First Coast News. He was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm (carrying a two-year term), and of cocaine possession, adding a four-year sentence. He returned to Mississippi following his playing career, and was most recently linked to running a training facility.
Despite finishing his career in Jacksonville with over 12,000 receiving yards and five Pro Bowls, the team was hesitant to add Smith to the “Pride of the Jaguars,” the Jacksonville franchise’s ring of honor. In 2001 Smith had a run-in that placed him in the NFL’s substance abuse program following being found with a cocaine by-product in his system. In addition, he was suspended four games.
The news of Smith's arrest came on the same day current receiver Justin Blackmon was asked to address his own banned-substance suspension, denying he had an issue. Hopefully, the plight of the former Jaguars great will serve as a notice for the team's up-and-coming star, whether his issues are part of a pattern of behavior, or a result of a bad decision.
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