Governor Josh Stein awarded the Panthers legend the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, celebrating a prolific NFL legacy and life-changing community service throughout the Charlotte region.
Former Utah Utes star receiver Steve Smith Sr. received the highest civilian honor from the State of North Carolina this week. He was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Josh Stein in a ceremony at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary, significant contributions to the state and their communities, according to Gov. Stein's office.
Smith was one of 12 people picked for his service to the Tar Heel State, including Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper.
The Los Angeles, Calif. native spent his final two collegiate seasons at Utah before he was a third round pick of the Panthers in 2001. Smith was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro during his 16-year NFL career. A majority of that time came in Charlotte, where he made a name for himself as one of the best route runners in the game. He led the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003 and holds the franchise record with 12,197 receiving yards.
Smith also won NFL Comeback Player of the Year for his 2005 campaign after a severe leg injury in 2004. This was due to becoming one of just a few players in NFL history to win the receiving Triple Crown by leading the league in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563), and touchdowns (12).
"(Smith) remains the Panthers all-time leader for touchdowns and receiving yards. We are so grateful that Steve chose to keep Charlotte as his home,” Stein said.
The honor is a fitting designation for "Agent 89," whose impact off the field is still felt to this day. Just last month, Smith hosted a free youth football camp in the area to give kids the opportunity to come out and play and get a little bit of a lesson from some Panthers, including star quarterback Bryce Young.
Smith has been involved in several charitable causes, which started during his NFL career, including the Steve Smith Family Foundation, House of Ruth Maryland, and Athletes United for Youth. He was nominated for NFL Man of the Year in 2015 and 2016 while with the Baltimore Ravens. Smith still ranks 8th in NFL history with 14,731 receiving yards and 12th in career receptions with 1,031.
Today, he operates the Smith Family Foundation, which opened its Behavioral Health Urgent Care in Charlotte in 2023 to provide immediate mental health and substance abuse services as an alternative to emergency rooms.
