Irv Smith Bio
Irvin Martin Smith Sr. is an American former professional football player who spent seven seasons as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). Selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft, he became one of the most reliable pass-catching tight ends of his era before concluding his playing career. After hanging up his cleats, he transitioned into sports media, building a second career in the Phoenix area.
Early Life and Background
Irvin Martin Smith Sr. was born on October 13, 1971, in Trenton, New Jersey, in the United States. Growing up in the surrounding region, he attended Pemberton Township High School in New Jersey, where he first emerged as a promising football talent. His physical development during those formative years helped set the foundation for the size and athleticism that would later define his professional profile.
Coming from an athletic family, Smith was exposed to competitive football from an early age. His older brother, Ed “EZ” Smith, would go on to play tight end in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, establishing a football lineage that shaped the younger Smith’s path. That family connection to the sport gave him insight into the demands of the tight end position and motivated his pursuit of the highest level of the game.
Path to American Football
Smith’s high school performance at Pemberton Township drew attention from college recruiters across the country. He ultimately chose the University of Notre Dame, a program with a storied tradition of producing NFL-caliber players. At Notre Dame, he developed into one of the most complete tight ends in college football, refining his route running, blocking technique, and pass-catching skills.
His combination of size, hands, and football intelligence made him a focal point of the Fighting Irish offense. By the time he declared for the NFL Draft, Smith was regarded as one of the top tight end prospects in the country. That standing was confirmed when the New Orleans Saints selected him with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft, launching his professional career on a major stage.
Irv Smith Career
Early Career (1993–1994)
Smith entered the NFL as a first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1993, joining a franchise looking to bolster its offensive options through the draft. Standing 6 ft 3 in and weighing 262 lb, he brought the prototypical frame of a complete tight end. His first two seasons in New Orleans were spent adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game, while contributing as both a receiver and a blocker.
During those early years, Smith worked to establish himself within the Saints’ offensive scheme. He earned a growing role in the passing attack and began to develop a reputation for reliable hands in key situations. The foundation he built in those initial campaigns laid the groundwork for the production that would follow in the middle portion of his career.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (1993–1997)
Smith spent his longest stretch with the New Orleans Saints, playing for the franchise from 1993 through 1997. Over those five seasons, he became a central figure in the team’s offense, serving as a trusted target in the passing game and a capable blocker in the run game. His consistency and durability made him a fixture in the Saints’ lineup during that period.
The middle years of his Saints tenure were marked by some of his most productive performances, as he developed a strong rapport with his quarterbacks. Smith’s ability to attack the middle of the field and win contested catches added a valuable dimension to New Orleans’ offense. By the time his run with the team concluded in 1997, he had firmly established himself as one of the more dependable tight ends in the league.
Late Career Stops (1998–1999)
Following his time in New Orleans, Smith had brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers in 1998 and the Cleveland Browns in 1999. Each stop added new teammates, systems, and cities to his professional journey, and he continued to provide veteran leadership and steady play at the tight end position. His willingness to adapt quickly to new environments reflected the work ethic that had carried him since his college days at Notre Dame.
Washington Redskins Era (2000)
Smith’s final NFL season came in 2000 with the Washington Redskins, bringing to a close a professional career that spanned from 1993 to 2000. Even in that closing chapter, he brought experience and a respected presence to the locker room, mentoring younger players at the position. When he retired, he left behind a legacy as a durable, team-first tight end who had earned the respect of coaches and teammates alike.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Smith’s career came on draft day in 1993, when the New Orleans Saints selected him 20th overall, making him a first-round choice. That selection reflected the high regard in which he was held coming out of Notre Dame and underscored his status as one of the premier tight end prospects of his class. Playing across nearly a decade in the NFL, he built a reputation for reliability and toughness that endured throughout his time in the league.
Irv Smith Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Irvin Martin Smith Sr. established himself as a dependable and productive tight end across multiple teams. While team-by-team win totals are not fully verifiable from available sources, his longevity from 1993 to 2000 stands as a clear marker of his consistency and value to every roster he joined.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the gridiron, Smith found a second arena in which to compete and excel. He co-hosts “EZ Sports Talk” alongside his older brother Ed “EZ” Smith in Phoenix, Arizona, where the pair has built a media platform that draws on their shared NFL experience. The program showcases his insight into the game and his continued connection to the football community well after his playing days ended.
Irv Smith Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Smith comes from a family with a strong football heritage. His older brother, Ed “EZ” Smith, played tight end in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, and the two brothers have remained closely tied to the sport long after their playing careers. That shared background helped shape Smith’s understanding of the game from an early age and reinforced the values of hard work and toughness that defined his career.
Personal Life
Smith is the father of Irv Smith Jr., who followed in his father’s footsteps by playing tight end at the University of Alabama before reaching the NFL. Irv Smith Jr. is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, extending the family’s football legacy into a new generation. Smith has remained active in football and media following his retirement, co-hosting “EZ Sports Talk” in Phoenix, Arizona, where he continues to share his knowledge of the game with fans.
2025 Season Outlook
Now years removed from his playing career, Irvin Martin Smith Sr. is no longer active on the field, and his involvement with the 2025 NFL season comes through his media work and his family’s continuing presence in the league. He co-hosts “EZ Sports Talk” in Phoenix, Arizona, offering analysis shaped by his years as a starting tight end in the NFL.
His son, Irv Smith Jr., is a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, giving the Smith family a direct connection to the 2025 season and beyond. Watching his son’s career develop is a focal point for the elder Smith, who draws on his own NFL experience to offer perspective. The family storyline adds a personal dimension to the ongoing season.
As a former player turned broadcaster, Smith brings a player’s-eye view to his coverage of the league, analyzing matchups, team dynamics, and tight end play with authority. His media platform allows him to stay connected to the sport that defined his adult life, and his continued visibility ensures that his name remains familiar to football fans.