SEATTLE -- On the night before the Seattle Seahawks' playoff game against the Detroit Lions, wide receiver Doug Baldwin sent a long text message to Steve Smith.
"I wanted everything to die down after his retirement," Baldwin said. "We had a good conversation."
Smith is who Baldwin has always wanted to be. Smith is the reason he wears No. 89. And Smith's inspiration helped inspire Baldwin to an 11-catch, 104-yard performance during the Seahawks' 26-6 win.
"Steve Smith is just a cerebral person," Baldwin said. "I've taken so much from the film that I've watched of him, but just talking to him.