L. J. Smith
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Smith with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 | |||||||||
| No. 82 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Tight end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: | May 13, 1980 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Highland Park, New Jersey | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 258 lb (117 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Rutgers | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2003 / Round: 2 / Pick: 61 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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John Smith III (born May 13, 1980), commonly known as L. J., which stands for "Little John", is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Rutgers.
Early years
In elementary school, he went to Bartle in Highland Park. At Highland Park High School in Highland Park, New Jersey, Smith played both basketball and football. As a senior football linebacker, he posted 11 sacks, 143 tackles, and five interceptions.[1]
College years
A four-year starter, he finished second in Rutgers history among tight ends with 122 receptions for 1,458 yards and ten touchdowns, surpassed only by Marco Battaglia. Smith earned All-Big East honors as both a junior and senior, and served as team captain as a senior, leading the Scarlet Knights with a career-high 32 receptions for 384 yards and three touchdowns.
Professional career
Philadelphia Eagles
Smith was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. As a rookie he had 27 receptions for 321 yards and a touchdown. He had 34 receptions, 377 yards and five touchdowns in 2004. His touchdown total of five was the most in a season by an Eagles tight end since Chad Lewis posted six in 2001. Smith also made an impressive diving reception in the back of the end zone for the Eagles' first touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIX.
He followed up his 2004 season with a strong 2005 campaign, hauling in 61 receptions for 682 yards (both career highs) and three touchdowns.
In 2006 he had 50 receptions for 611 yards and five touchdowns. In 2007 he had only 22 receptions for 236 yards and a touchdown.
On February 19, 2008 he was designated the franchise player of the Eagles. He finished the 2008 season with 37 receptions for 298 yards and three touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens
Smith signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens on March 20, 2009. In his lone season in Baltimore (plagued by injuries) Smith had only two catches for 31 yards, and had no starts backing up Todd Heap.[2][3]
Personal
Smith was included in the 2005 Chunky Soup commercials featuring Donovan McNabb. He enjoys playing basketball and was a tremendous basketball prospect who drew interest from a number of Division I programs including Florida State and various schools from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. He currently resides in Longport, New Jersey. He currently owns and operates a Plato's Closet store in Edison, New Jersey.[1] Inspired by his mother, Smith returned to Rutgers and in 2016 completed his undergraduate degree.[4]
References
- 1 2 L.J. Smith profile, Philadelphia Eagles. Accessed June 9, 2007.
- ↑ Duffy, Mike. "Ravens Add Smith at Tight End," BaltimoreRavens.com, Friday, March 20, 2009.
- ↑ Hensley, Jamison. "Ravens sign L.J. Smith," The Baltimore Sun, Saturday, March 21, 2009.
- ↑ Duggan, Dan (15 May 2016). "Inspired by late mother, L.J. Smith returns for Rutgers degree". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved 15 May 2016.