Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith was one of the best players in NFL history at his craft, but he is not going to spend time in retirement helping current players improve their game. Not yet, at least.
In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, Smith revealed that he has received numerous calls from NFL receivers and defensive backs who want to watch film or work out together. He said about three or four players called him as well as agents who want Smith to help their clients in advance of the NFL Combine. Why did Smith decline? Because he thinks helping others train would give him the itch to play another season.
“And I had to take a step back and I said, you know what? If I do all these things, now I’m getting my mind and body to say, ‘I can still play,'” Smith explained. “So I had to text some guys and say, ‘You know what? I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to watch film with you and work out and train with you because that means I’m telling myself and my family I’m about to go play again. And I don’t want to go through that process. I’m done playing.’ So if I’m training anybody, their last name is Smith, meaning my kids.
“I’m just going to love on them, and that training is less intense. The goal is so lesser. It’s, ‘Hey, let’s make sure we’re drinking water, fluid, and all that stuff.’ Out there, when you’re training for ball, it’s a different animal. So I said, ‘No.'”
Smith proved that he could still be productive last season despite suffering a torn Achilles the year before, so you can understand why he is afraid he would have the urge to keep playing. His passion for the game remained fully intact through 2016, and we saw a perfect example of that with his war of words against an NFL analyst. Maybe Smith will be more willing to help NFL players train in two or three years.
