NFL Receiver In Jail: Jimmy Smith, Former Jacksonville Jaguars Star, Serving 6-Year Sentence In Miss. Jail

When he retired in 2005, former Jacksonville Jaguars star Jimmy Smith was considered one of the best wide receivers in NFL history. Eight years later, he’s serving a six-year sentence in a Mississippi prison.

Smith, who spent a decade as one of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most consistent offensive threats, is currently serving a six-year jail sentence after being convicted of drug and weapons charges, Yahoo! Sports reports.

According to Mississippi Department of Corrections documents, the 43-year-old was charged with two years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and four years for possession of cocaine. He began serving his jail sentence in March, and will not be released until November of 2018.

The former star finished his 12-year NFL career with 862 receptions for 12,287 yards; each mark placed Smith among the top 20 receivers in league history. Originally drafted in 1992 by the Dallas Cowboys, he endured three injury-plagued seasons before joining the expansion Jaguars as one of the franchise’s inaugural players.

In 11 seasons with the Jaguars, Smith earned five Pro Bowl selections and became the team’s all-time leader in every major receiving category. However, he also displayed some of the behavior that would eventually lead to his current incarceration. In 2003, the receiver was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Yahoo! Sports notes.

Smith’s problems intensified after his retirement. Arrests in 2008 and 2009—for a DUI and on drug charges, respectively—resulted in the former Jaguar being placed on probation. A voluntary stint in rehab appeared to have the desired effect, as Smith worked with his foundation to aid at-risk youth and maintained an active presence on Twitter. However, his latest legal issues represent a major setback in his rehabilitation.

The 43-year-old isn’t the only NFL receiver to experience recent trouble with the law. On May 13, former Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young was arrested on felony counts of burglary and assault of a police officer. The incident resulted in Young’s third arrest in less than a week.