He was selected by the Browns in the fifteenth round of the 1955 NFL draft after playing college football at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Robert Gerald Smith was born on February 23, 1933, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

[2] Smith was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 15th round, with the 181st overall pick, of the 1955 NFL draft.

[4] He appeared in two games for the Browns in 1956, rushing two times for 10 yards, before being released on October 19, 1956.

[5] He played in four games for the team during the 1956 season, recording nine rushing attempts for eight yards.