Last year, Carolina Panthers great Steve Smith Sr. saw his first shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame cut short—missing out on being named one of 15 modern-era finalists for the 2022 class. Unfortunately, it’s happened again this year.
On Wednesday, Smith Sr. was not amongst the 2023 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The wide receivers who did make the cut were Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson.
Smith Sr. played 13 of his 16 professional campaigns in Carolina. He remains the franchise leader in receptions (836), receiving yards (12,197) and receiving touchdowns (67).
After being released by the Panthers in March of 2014, Smith Sr. joined the Baltimore Ravens—only proving he had more blood and guts to extract. Between 2014 and 2016, he’d collect 195 more catches, 2,534 more receiving yards and 14 more receiving touchdowns.
That body of work has Smith Sr. as the eighth-leading pass catcher (14,731 yards) in NFL history. He is the only eligible player within the top nine of the all-time receiving list not to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
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