He played collegiately at Appalachian State University and professionally with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks.
Although Frier failed to record a tackle in his first couple games with the club, his performance on the field garnered the attention of the team's coaching staff.
Smith was charged with impaired driving and was ordered to pay Frier 50–75% of his NFL earnings for the duration of his career.
Following the accident, Frier remained in the Greater Seattle area where his father Ulysses moved in to take care of him.
In the years following the accident, Frier was involved in various charitable endeavours related to spinal cord injuries.