Colton High Alumni Jimmy Smith, (class of 2006)  figured prominently in the Baltimore Ravens’ nail-biting victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 3. With Baltimore holding on to a tenuous 34-28 lead, the Niners had the ball with 4th down and goal to go. Seconds were ticking down and it was quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s last chance at a game changing touchdown. Smith, playing cornerback, covered the Raven’s wide receiver Michael Crabtree like a blanket, and the pass sailed over his head. There was much discussion after the play over whether Smith held Crabtree, and a penalty should have been called, which would have given the Niners the ball with first down and four chances to get the game winning TD from the one yard line. 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was livid on the sidelines, screaming that Smith had held his receiver. But in the end, the refs didn’t call it, the pass was incomplete, and the Ravens won the game, making Jimmy Smith Colton’s first Super Bowl champion.

Smith  graduated from Colton and then went on to play football at the University of Colorado.  While at Colorado, Jimmy was chosen All Big 12, twice and the Dave Jones award winner.

After college Jimmy went into the NFL Draft and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens as a first round draft pick, number 27.  Jimmy wears the number 22 and plays cornerback and special teams for the Ravens.

While he has been with the Baltimore Ravens, Jimmy had his first career interception on November 20, 2011, against the Cincinnati Bengals. This season in the divisional round of the playoffs, he tackled Bronco’s punt returner, Trindin Holiday for one of the biggest plays of the game. At the AFC Championship game, Jimmy intercepted the Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady’s pass in the Patriots end zone.   The Raven’s beat the Patriot’s 28-13 to advance to the Super Bowl.