The former Ravens wide receiver has officially signed a multi-year deal to become an analyst on the NFL Network, and will be appearing on a host of their programs, including this Sunday at Super Bowl LI.
Smith announced the news via Twitter:
What’s next? I’ll be running HOT routes on @nflnetwork. Ice up @richeisen, ice up! https://t.co/JyIv8GMzqO #agent89
— Steve Smith Sr (@89SteveSmith) February 2, 2017
Smith will appear on various NFL Network shows, including “NFL GameDay First,” which airs every Sunday at 7 a.m. during the season. He will be part of the network’s coverage on Super Bowl Sunday from Houston, joining the special 8.5-hour edition of “NFL GameDay Morning” starting at 9 a.m.
“I was blessed to have a long and productive playing career on the field but now it’s time to turn my attention to the business of covering the game and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the team at NFL Network,” Smith said in a statement.
“As the only network with a 100 percent focus on the sport I love, I was drawn to NFL Network and look forward to joining a team made up of many legends of the game.”
Smith gradually broke into the industry even during his playing years. He’s been laying the foundation for this post-retirement move.
While with the Panthers, Smith hosted a show on a Charlotte radio station. In 2015, he hosted a weekly four-hour show with Bob Papa on Sirius XM NFL Radio, then was a CBS guest analyst on its Super Bowl Sunday pregame show. Last year, he appeared on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” for several episodes.
A five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, Smith played 16 seasons in the NFL and amassed 14,731 career receiving yards (seventh all-time) and 81 career touchdowns.
While he’ll bring a deep understanding of the game and the people who play it, Smith’s blunt truthfulness, quick wit, intelligence, lack of fear about expressing his opinion and colorful personality are what make him a perfect fit in today’s sports broadcasting spectrum.
