He played in the NFL for six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1977 to 1982 before starring on the Birmingham Stallions of the rival United States Football League (USFL).
[1] On November 8, 1975, in a victory over Purdue, Smith had a career-high 184 receiving yards on five catches, including an 83-yard touchdown that set a record as the longest pass completion in Michigan history.
[5] He played for the Steelers from 1977 to 1982,[6] backing up Hall of Famers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth and earning two Super Bowl rings in the process.
[6] In April 1983, Smith signed a three-year contract to play for the Birmingham Stallions in the newly formed USFL.
[7] In order to persuade him to jump to the USFL, Smith was offered a sum greater than any NFL receiver was then making.