Steve Smith (defensive back)

Steven Michael Smith is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 35th pick of the seventh round of the 2002 NFL draft.
He was also a member of the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans of the NFL and the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe.

College career

Smith attended the University of Oregon from 1998 to 2001. In his senior season, he led the Ducks with nine interceptions, including three in the 2002 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, which earned him Defensive Player of the Game honors. As of 2014, he ranks 2nd all-time for pass break-ups in Oregon Ducks' history.

He entered the draft process for the 2002 NFL draft, receiving an invite to that year's combine.

He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 35th pick of the seventh round of the 2002 NFL draft. He was waived on September 1, 2002, and assigned to the practice squad on September 3. He was subsequently released on December 4, 2002, and signed to the active roster. He was re-signed again on March 26, 2003. He was waived on May 19, 2003.

Ten days later, on May 29, 2003, the New Orleans Saints signed Smith to their roster. They waived him on July 31, later that year.

The Tennessee Titans then signed Smith on August 12, 2003. They later waived him on August 29. They subsequently signed him to their practice squad on September 2, 2003. On January 27, 2004, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Titans. He was allocated to NFL Europe, where he played for the Cologne Centurions during the 2004 NFL Europe season. Smith intercepted one pass for a seven-yard return while with the Centurions.
In the Titans fourth pre-season against the Green Bay Packers in 2004, Smith suffered a spine injury that would end his career.

After retiring from football, Smith moved back to Eugene, Oregon, where he worked for UPS.
In 2013, he and his wife, Jamie, started a restaurant in Stockton, California called Smitty's Wings & Things. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2016.
They have three children, Alex, Deja, and DeAndre.