On July 29, Jimmy Smith, former wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, pleaded no contest to three charges stemming from an arrest for driving under the influence in August 2008.
Smith was sentenced to 12 months probation, 50 hours of community service, and payment of $1,100 in fines and court costs.
The judge told Smith that he wanted his community service time spent speaking with children and youth groups, instructions Smith said he plans to follow.
“Addiction is a disease. I am going to be the one who beats it,” said Smith, who has spent 90 days in a Houston, Texas rehabilitation center.
Smith pleaded no contest to charges of DUI, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia that came about from an arrest on August 28, when he tried to drive around a DUI checkpoint.
The judge found Smith guilty of DUI, but withheld adjudication on the other charges.
Smith was also ordered to enroll in a DUI school and participate in a victim impact panel. His license was suspended for 180 days and he was ordered not to consume alcohol or use any drugs.
The judge modified the standard community service sentence and asked that Smith speak with school children and youth groups. He runs Jimmy Smith Athletics, which is an organization that mentors to youngsters and teaches them football and basketball fundamentals.
In 2005, Smith retired from football after leading Jacksonville with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks among the NFL’s all-time leading receivers with 862 catches for 12,287.
Smith still faces felony charges of possession of cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license from an April arrest. His attorney said that the state had made him an offer on those charges, which he would decide on before his next appearance in court.
