A native of Lynwood, Calirornia and born on May 12, 1979, Stevonne L. Smith currently plays as a wide receiver for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Standing 5'9" and weighing less than 200 pounds has not prevented Smith from breaking more tackles than any wide receiver in the NFL. In the early days of his career, Steve Smith struggled somewhat, but has since improved his running routes as is evident by his 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

An only child who grew up in a single-parent household, Steve Smith attended University High School in Los Angeles where he was a popular football star. He was selected for the All-California Interstate Football and All-Metro League teams. During his collegiate years at Santa Monica College, where he remained for two years prior to transferring to the University of Utah, Steve Smith achieved second team All-Western State Conference South during his sophomore year. Upon transferring to Utah, Smith made the All-Mountain West Conference team during the two years that he was enrolled. He soon began receiving attention from NFL scouts and decided to put his name in the running for the 2001 NFL Draft.

During the third round of the NFL Draft in 2001, Steve Smith was drafted by the Carolina Panthers. His rookie season led to an appearance at the Pro Bowl. In the 2002 NFL season, Smith played an important role in the team’s effort to reach the Super Bowl XXXVIII. In 2004, a broken leg kept Steve Smith off of the field and on the injured reserve during the season. By 2005, however, Smith was ready to regain his position on the field and did so by leading the NFL with 1,563 receiving yards. In 2006, he was selected for the Pro Bowl and certainly earned his Comeback award.

In addition to his many accomplishments on the field, Steve Smith and wife Angie believe in giving back to the community. The Posey Foundation, which was established in 2004 by the couple, is designed to promote friendship amongst underprivileged and abused children in the Charlotte area. The foundation provides an outlet for fun and recreation, which also often features special events involving Steve Smith and his NFL Carolina Panther teammates.