Jimmy Smith, former Jackson State and NFL star, says his greatest achievement is sobriety

When Jimmy Smith sits down to eat Thanksgiving dinner with his family, including seven children, he will have much for which to be thankful. Not for the life he’s lived and where he’s been but for where he is going today.

On Oct. 26, Smith was named to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame class of 2024 along with Eli Manning, Walter "Red" Barber, Richard Duease, Paul Elias, Savante Stringfellow, Becky Vest and Jimmy Webb. Enshrinement is schedule for Aug. 2-3, 2024.

“This is big to be in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame," said Smith, who starred at Callaway High and Jackson State as well as with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. That says a lot, that the state of Mississippi recognizes me for my accomplishments. To be going in with the likes of Eli Manning, that’s huge.”

Smith, 54, was a gifted fleet-footed All-Pro wide receiver for 11 seasons with the Jaguars. He retired in 2006 with 862 catches, 12,287 yards — both in the all-time top 30 among NFL receivers — and 67 touchdowns.

Jimmy Smith battled demons during his NFL career

Smith's prowess on the field was never questioned; it was the demons he battled off the field that he could never outrun.

Smith said he started to feel depressed in 2002, though he didn't realize at the time that's what it was. For 12 years, he felt his life was spiraling out of control. He turned to drugs while trying to handle the pressures of the NFL and the feeling that he was carrying the entire Jaguars' franchise on his back.

In December 2012, Smith could not believe he was standing before a judge for a third time, this time in his home state of Mississippi. Smith was waiting to be tried on weapons and drug crimes and charges. He listened to the judge, who looked him in the eye and denied him bail, telling Smith that he was deemed a flight risk.

“That was the lowest moment of my life,” Smith said. “When the judge said I was a 'flight risk’ and he was going to deny me bail. I sat in that jail cell day in and day out wondering how I went from being famous and a great superstar wide receiver to sitting in a jail cell with these people.”

The impact of spending time in prison

Smith was sentenced to serve six years on the weapons and drug charges. He was released after several months and placed on house arrest in an intensive supervision program.

“It’s what needed to happen to me,” Smith said. “Had I not gotten caught, I would probably be dead. I was jumping into my Mercedes-Benz and going into these really, really bad neighborhoods to purchase drugs. I could have gotten robbed, shot, or killed. I could have been in my car speeding and hit someone and killed them. I was living recklessly.”

The one thing Smith regrets the most is the impact his struggles had on his parents — his mother, Etta, a former assistant superintendent of Jackson Public Schools, and his father, Jimmy, also a former pro football player and his coach during his youth years. Smith said his struggles cannot be blamed on his parents; he was raised right.

As he has battled depression, Smith has been honest with his seven kids: Jimmy III (28), Jasmin (26), Jaden and Dalys (22), Dyson (20), Isaiah (17) and Dylan (14). Today, Smith said he has a great relationship with them and starts each morning with a family group chat.

HONORED Eli Manning, Jimmy Smith Jr., lead Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame class of 2024

The road back

Smith credits God’s timing in his success at traveling the long road back from hell. Life is coming full circle. Today, Smith mentors others and describes it as therapeutic for him. He said receivers will call him and so will parents asking him to speak with their children. It always starts with the sport and the fundamentals and evolves from there. He ends up being a life coach.

“It has been a tough road, to make it back and have people acknowledge my accomplishments," Smith said. "I always said my biggest accomplishment in life is getting over this addiction. That’s my biggest accomplishment.’”

Smith said he will struggle with depression and addiction for the rest of his life.

“I can’t let my guard down,” Smith said. “It is a day-to-day battle. I still have cravings. My sobriety date is Dec. 19, 2013. Coming up on 10 years. The further you are removed from it, the better you feel.”

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jimmy Smith, Jackson State and NFL star, is thankful for sobriety