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Steve Smith has never been one to keep quiet. Now he’s got plenty to talk about after making league history on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
The 16-year veteran wideout became just the 14th player to record 1,000 receptions over the course of his NFL career. He hit the milestone on a 22-yard pass from Joe Flacco in the third quarter, his third reception of the game.
The reception put his career receiving yardage at 14,392 yards.
Smith came in to Sunday’s showdown as Baltimore’s No. 2 wide receiver, having caught 36 passes for 417 yards in just seven games. Those are strong numbers from a 37-year-old who wasn’t even supposed to be playing this fall. Smith had designated 2015 as the final season of his storied career before tearing his Achilles’ tendon last November.
Not wanting to end on a low note, Smith returned in 2016 and has been a key member of the AFC North-leading Ravens. Now he’s got a place in NFL history alongside standouts like Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, and Larry Fitzgerald.