NFL

Former Jaguars LB Telvin Smith’s timeline: From second-team All-Pro to arrest

John Reid

jreid@jacksonville.com

It was a year ago this week when former Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith abruptly announced on Instagram that he was not going to play in 2019 so he could spend time with his family and focus on health.

He had been one of the cornerstones of the defense, leading the team in tackles for two consecutive seasons, including a career-high 134 combined tackles in 2018.

Smith is one of only 13 players in NFL history to record 100 or more tackles in each of their first five years in the league.

But his past football glory is nothing of consequence now.

He could be facing jail time if convicted.

Smith, who played at Florida State, was arrested this past Wednesday and charged with one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to authorities. He was released on a $50,003 bond.

Here is a look at some of Smith's off-the-field problems and the high points of his career in Jacksonville.

May 2014: Despite a failed drug test for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine, the Jaguars drafted Smith in the fifth round. But 16 linebackers were drafted ahead of him before the Jaguars selected him 144th overall . “We had some very candid conversations with him," Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell told the Florida Times-Union just after they selected Smith in the draft. "We let him know that we drafted five high-character guys before him, and we expect him to follow the lead of those guys. He knows that it was a mistake of his, and he's paid dearly for it, so now he has the opportunity to make up for it.

Rookie season 2014: Smith started 10 of 16 games and showed promise as an athletic weak-side linebacker who could range from sideline to sideline. He ended the season with 99 tackles.

October 2017: Smith signed a four-year, $50 million extension, which included a $4.05 million signing bonus and $20.5 million guaranteed. He said it was an amazing opportunity. "We have created a bond in that locker room, and everyone is committed to our goal of winning football games," Smith said. “I am honored to be a part of that culture and help continue to lead this team in the right direction."

January 2018: Smith was added to the Pro Bowl a day after the Jaguars lost to New England 24-20 in the AFC championship game. Smith led the Jaguars with 102 regular-season tackles, and his 35 postseason tackles led the league. He was named second-team All-Pro.

September 2018: For the second consecutive season, Smith was named as a defensive co-captain. The six captains, who included Calais Campbell, Blake Bortles, Leonard Fournette, Brandon Linder, and Lerentee McCray, were voted on by the entire team.

April 2018: Smith fought back tears as he introduced his close friend, Paul Posluszny, during his retirement ceremony in the team's meeting room at TIAA Bank Field. “I've never had a better teammate than you. I don't think I've ever been able to say someone loves me who I didn't do something for [other] than you,’’ Smith said. “And I promise you, I promise you, I promise you, I won't let you down. And I feel like that last game, we let you down. So I dedicate this next season to you, and I promise you I'm going to lay it down."

April 2019: Smith and Jalen Ramsey, who now plays for the Los Angeles Rams, were the only players who didn't show up for the start of the team's voluntary offseason program. Coach Doug Marrone said he reached out to both players and didn't hear back from either. It was the first time in five seasons, Smith skipped the team’s offseason program. Then-team football czar Tom Coughlin called Smith out, along with Ramsey, during the team's state of the franchise address: "Success in the NFL demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of team. The hard work that many try to avoid is the major building block for the development of an outstanding football team. Discipline, organizing your priorities, committing yourself to do the things necessary to succeed," Coughlin said. "No shortcuts. No procrastination."

May 9, 2019: In an Instagram post, Smith wrote that he needs to “get my world in order” and requested that others “respect my decision to not play football this season. ’’It was said to me from a great coach, that in order for the man to be his best, he must get his world in order. At this time I must take time away from this game & get my world in order. I must give this time back to myself, my family, & my health. I appreciate all the support I will & will not get. I just ask y’all respect my decision to not play football this season.’’

May 11, 2019:Smith posted an Instagram video to voice his frustration and challenged others to think bigger than football. “Why is it so crazy I want to step away from the game?” Smith wrote. “Y’all just chill. Everything’s solid. You feel me? Stop going crazy. It’s getting aggravating. You feel me? Football ain’t everything. Y’all better wake the f--- up.” While Smith continued to avoid contact with the Jaguars, the franchise continued to support him. “I kind of put football to the side. I think for me, that is an afterthought right now in concern with Telvin,” Marrone said. “I really believe in my heart that Telvin knows that we are here to support him in any which way. Not just myself, the coaches, the organization [and] his teammates. I’m sure he is aware of that.”

June 2019: Smith kept his word and skipped the team’s mandatory three-day minicamp, which caused $5 million of his $9.75 million base salary to be forfeited after it was guaranteed March 17. Smith posted the notice of the per-day breakdown of the fines on his Instagram account -- $14,775 for the missing the first day, $29,550 for the second and $44,325 for Day 3.

July 2019: The Jaguars put Smith on their reserve/retired list. With Smith filing his retirement papers, if he decides to return after the 2019 season, his existing contract with the Jaguars would resume unless they cut him. He's also protected from fines for missing camp practices.

November 2019:A heavy police presence occurred at a home owned by Smith, and a black Cadillac Escalade that matched Smith’s was towed.The Times-Union obtained public records in Valdosta, Ga., Smith’s hometown, in which a mediator determined Smith and the mother of two of his children had reached an impasse over custody and child support. In a separate child-support case. There was no indication that those legal proceedings are related to the police showing up at Smith’s home.

May 2020:Smith was arrested last Wednesday on a charge of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and bonded out of the Duval County jail on $50,003 bail. The arrest warrant states Smith had sex with an under-aged victim on separate occasions at his home and in his car.