Ed Smith (tight end)

Edward Martin Smith (born June 5, 1969 in Trenton, New Jersey) is a former American football tight end who played for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions from 1997–1999. Prior to that, Smith played baseball in the minor league systems of the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians. His brother is Irv Smith, also a former NFL tight end.

High school and baseball career
Smith grew up in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township, New Jersey and played football and baseball at Pemberton Township High School before being drafted by the White Sox in the 7th round of the 1987 MLB Draft. He declined football scholarships to Penn State and Florida to begin his professional baseball career out of high school, and played in the White Sox minor league system from 1987–1991. He then played for the Brewers system from 1991–1993, the Cubs system in 1994, and the Indians system in 1995. His baseball career peaked at the Triple-A level in 1995 and ended following that season at age 26. Primarily a third baseman, Smith also played at first base and in the outfield later in his career.

Football career
Smith then began a career in professional football, playing at tight end with the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFL Europe in 1996. He was signed to the Washington Redskins practice squad as a free agent in July 1996, where he remained for the rest of the season. In 1997 he was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad and was promoted to the team's active roster during the season. His first game in uniform was against a New Orleans Saints team that included his brother, Irv. The brothers would again be on opposing teams in 1998, with Irv playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Smith won an NFC championship with the Falcons in 1998. He split the 1999 NFL season between the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions, and his NFL career ended following that season. Smith then played for the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL during the league's only season in 2001.

Later life
In 2011, Smith became the host of his own sports show "EZ Sports Talk" on KXXT 1010 in Phoenix, AZ, and is the author of his autobiography "EZ Does It: The Journey of A Lifetime".