Jackie Smith is a legend amongst tight ends in professional football. When he retired after the 1978 season he was the career leader in receiving yards for a tight end. Along with 5 pro bowls to go along with his 16 seasons of very consistent play. All of that would lead him to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1994. But even though he did all of that. You probably know Jackie Smith from only one play.
If you drop a wide open touchdown pass in the biggest, most watched sporting event of the year, you’re not going to be the most liked person no matter who you are. I cannot blame the announcer for calling him the sickest man in America at that time. But, there was definitely more sick individuals with and illness like cancer. Also there are for sure more sick individuals in terms of twisted and doing bad things. I think dropping a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl is actually one of the cooler things that a person can do. My reasoning is that one you have to be on one of the 2 best teams in the NFL that year which only around 100 people in the entire world get to do every year. And also you need to be good enough at receiver to get open in the end zone to get a pass. So maybe the announcer was a tad in the wrong for his usage of verbs on the call. I think an "Aww shucks get em next time" would work a little bit better. But then again there is a reason I am behind a computer screen typing away on a Sunday morning, and whoever was commentating, is commentating the Super Bowl.
Back to Jackie Smith's Hall of Fame career and not the one drop out of the hundreds of balls thrown his way in his career. Jackie Smith spent his entire career with the Cardinals when he was drafted in the 10th round, 129th overall in 1963. He would go on and be in 5 straight pro bowls from 1966-1970 and start in 121 straight games as a tight end. With the lack of technology and proper physical training and recovery, starting 121 straight games is pretty damn impressive.
Jackie did not even get recruited to play football out of high school. He was a runner in track and field and got recruited to North Western Louisiana State College to run. He only got a half scholarship though, and he needed a full scholarship to be able to afford school. After asking the Track and Field coach for a full ride, the school came up with a compromise. Jackie would play both football and track and field to get 2 half's of a scholarship. Jackie was told that for football all he had to do was not quit the team and play for all 4 years in order to get his full scholarship. Jackie would go on to be the teams leading receiver his last 2 years. When Jackie was drafted, he thought it was a mistake as he thought they meant to contact another Jackie Smith.
Jackie Smith Retired in 1977 with the Cardinals. He was no longer the starting tight end, he was also all banged up from over a decade straight of being in the NFL. He even had a spinal condition that would make both of his arms go numb whenever he would get tackled. Hard to catch a pass when you can't feel your arms. Smith's retirement would not last long though as he would get a call from legendary coach Tom Landry in late September when the Cowboys starting tight end broke his arm. Smith would only really be used to block on the goal line in his time in Dallas. He would not get a single reception the entire regular season. During the playoffs in 1978 Smith would have 3 receptions and a touchdown going into the big game. His career though, is mostly forgotten about because he dropped one pass.
There was a lot more to that 1978 Super Bowl than just a dropped pass in the 3rd quarter in the end zone. Many Dallas Cowboy's penalties gave the Steeler's easy yards. And the defense gave up 35 points. Hard to win a football game when you give up 35 points. However after the game, all of the reporters and story lines would be on 38 year old, back up tight end, Jackie Smith who had only 3 catches the entire year. Jackie would go on to retire after that even though the Cowboys wanted him back on the team.
Roger Staubach, the QB for the Cowboys at the time, said that he threw a bad pass to Smith and that is why he dropped it. If you do look at the tape, it was a dog shit pass. But then again, it did hit Smith right between the numbers. So next time you see the infamous clip of Jackie Smith being the sickest man in America, and you’re trying to impress the hot chick at the bar with your great knowledge of ball you can say "Hey do you know that guy was the all time leader in receiving yards for a tight end when he dropped that and is a Hall of Famer" and then she will instantly fall in love with you and you will live happily ever after.
And that my football fans, is today's Tea, with T
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