Fantasy Football News: Jimmy Smith Retires

"This is a day I've been trying to get to my whole career. I reached my goal to have played in a long and illustrious career in the NFL," Smith said in a press conference that was hastily-arranged this morning following Smith's surprising announcement that he was retiring.

Smith's rise to fame in the NFL was as improbable as the Jaguars' meteoric rise to success, and it was no coincidence that the Jaguars didn't hit their stride until Smith hit his. It was in the second half of the Jaguars' second season that Smith and the Jaguars came to life simultaneously, as Smith's late-season surge led the Jaguars to the AFC title game, the capping blow having been his game-winning touchdown catch in Denver.

Records have fallen since then. Smith has led the Jaguars in receiving yards in each of the last 10 seasons and ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th with 12,287 receiving yards.

"A sad day in one respect," owner Wayne Weaver said. "This is kind of the end of an era in Jaguars history and I can tell you it was a great era. Jimmy will always be remembered as one of our early heroes," said Weaver.

"I thought I had another year in me," Smith said. "You guys know I've been going back and forth. It's best to leave on top. Not many guys get to do what I'm doing today; walk away happy."

Smith hinted at retirement following the Jaguars' 28-3 playoff loss in New England, after a game that was not one of Smith's best. He said he struggled during the winter on a decision to play another season.

"This is not a total surprise," coach Jack Del Rio said. "It was something I was trying to have him put off. I was trying to buy another year. He felt, in his heart, it was the right thing to do. I will miss Jimmy."

Smith's retirement leaves the Jaguars with a young corps of wide receivers. Two of them – Reggie Williams and Matt Jones – are first-round draft choices. Wilford was the team's second-leading receiver, behind Smith, last season. Cortez Hankton and Chad Owens move up the pecking order.

"It's hard because I know I can still go out there and do it. It's just best for me to leave. Now, with camp just around the corner, I just don't think I can do it," Smith said.

Smith was asked if drug-testing had forced his retirement decision. "I've been playing for 36 years. I'm tired. Leave it at that," Smith said.

Smith was in the final year of a contract that was to pay him $3.6 million in salary this year. That salary savings is credited to the Jaguars' salary cap.