Born and raised in Bayboro, North Carolina, Smith played scholastically at Pamlico High School.
[3][4] Smith was selected by the Houston Oilers in the second round (29th overall pick) of the 1984 NFL draft,[5] but chose to sign with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL) after he could not come to a contract agreement with the Oilers.
Smith signed after the USFL season, which ran from February - July, so did not play at all in 1984.
He spent eight seasons with the Oilers, appearing in 100 games, logging 14 career sacks and 5 fumble recoveries.
[citation needed] Smith died in Rosharon, Texas, on July 25, 2024, at the age of 64.