Irv Smith

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. A first-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in 1993, he built his reputation as a dependable pass catcher and red-zone target during an era when the tight end position was evolving into a featured role in modern offenses. After his playing days ended, he transitioned into sports media, co-hosting a radio program in Phoenix with his older brother, the former Atlanta Falcons tight end known as Ed “EZ” Smith.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Smith became one of the most celebrated tight end recruits of his generation before starring collegiately at Notre Dame. His career carried him through four NFL organizations, and his legacy continues through his son, Irv Smith Jr., who followed in his father’s footsteps to become an NFL tight end. Standing 6 ft 3 in and playing around 262 lb, Smith combined the size of a traditional in-line blocker with the hands and route-running skills of a receiver.

Early Life and Background

Irvin Martin Smith Sr. was born on October 13, 1971, in Trenton, New Jersey. He grew up in the surrounding region and attended Pemberton Township High School, where he developed into a highly recruited two-sport athlete. His physical maturity and athleticism made him a natural fit for the tight end position, and his high school performances drew attention from college programs across the country.

Smith came from an athletic family that valued competition and discipline. His older brother, Ed “EZ” Smith, would go on to play tight end in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, giving Irv a built-in mentor as he navigated the recruiting process. The two brothers remained close throughout their careers and later joined forces off the field in broadcasting, reflecting a shared passion for football that began in their childhood home in New Jersey.

Path to American Football

Smith’s path to the professional ranks began in earnest at Pemberton Township High School, where his size, hands, and competitive nature translated into scholarship offers from major college programs. He chose the University of Notre Dame, a program with a long tradition of producing polished tight ends and pro-caliber players. At Notre Dame, Smith refined his blocking technique, expanded his route tree, and developed the toughness required to play in the trenches while also serving as a reliable target in the passing game.

His college production and physical tools pushed him onto the radar of NFL scouts, and by the time he declared for the draft, he was viewed as one of the top tight end prospects in the country. That evaluation was confirmed when the New Orleans Saints selected him with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 1993 NFL draft, making him one of the highest tight ends taken that year. His smooth transition to the league would confirm that the Saints’ investment was well placed.

Irv Smith Career

Early Career (1993-1997)

Smith began his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, the franchise that had invested a first-round pick in him in 1993. He spent his first five professional seasons in New Orleans, where he was used as a combination blocker and receiver. The Saints relied on him in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and he quickly became a favorite target in the red zone. Over time, he expanded his role to include intermediate routes, helping to diversify the Saints’ passing attack during the mid-1990s.

During his New Orleans tenure, Smith established himself as a steady contributor and a respected presence in the locker room. He built a reputation for toughness, dependable hands, and the willingness to do the unglamorous blocking work that tight ends are asked to perform. By the time his run with the Saints came to a close after the 1997 season, he had become one of the franchise’s most recognizable tight ends of that era.

San Francisco 49ers Era (1998)

In 1998, Smith joined the San Francisco 49ers, one of the most successful organizations in NFL history. The move gave him an opportunity to play in a West Coast offense that emphasized the tight end as a key component of the passing game. His single season in San Francisco allowed him to work within a championship-caliber system and to compete alongside experienced quarterbacks and a strong supporting cast.

Although his time in San Francisco was brief, the experience reinforced his versatility and adaptability. He contributed as both a receiver and blocker, helping the 49ers maintain their customary physical style of play. The season added another chapter to his résumé and prepared him for the next stop in his journeyman career.

Cleveland Browns Era (1999)

Smith signed with the Cleveland Browns for the 1999 season, continuing his run as a veteran presence in the tight end room. The Browns, then in the later stages of their original Cleveland era before the franchise’s move, valued his experience and his ability to mentor younger players. He provided leadership in the meeting room and on the practice field while continuing to contribute on game days.

His 1999 campaign in Cleveland represented a transitional period for both player and team, and it offered him a chance to demonstrate that he could still produce at a high level. The Browns utilized him in a variety of packages, taking advantage of his blocking skills and sure hands.

Washington Era (2000)

Smith’s final recorded NFL stop came with the Washington franchise, where he appeared during the 2000 season. Though his time in Washington was limited, it allowed him to extend his professional career and to suit up for a storied organization with a deep history of tight end production. He brought veteran poise to a tight end group and continued to perform the physical, blue-collar work that had defined his career.

Career Totals and Statistics

Across his NFL career, Smith finished with 183 receptions for 1,788 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns. Those totals reflect a tight end who served as a meaningful piece of the passing game for the franchises he represented, particularly the New Orleans Saints, where he spent the bulk of his career. His statistical production was strongest during his years in New Orleans, where he developed into a reliable chain-mover and a scoring threat in the red zone.

Irv Smith Career Highlights

New Orleans Saints Highlights

Smith’s most productive years came in a New Orleans Saints uniform, where he spent five seasons and grew into one of the offense’s preferred targets. He was selected by the Saints with the 20th overall pick in the 1993 NFL draft and went on to deliver the kind of steady, hard-nosed play that made him a long-term contributor. His ability to block at the line of scrimmage while also running routes made him a complete tight end for the era in which he played.

Other Performances

After leaving New Orleans, Smith continued to perform capably for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and Washington franchise. While his statistical totals were strongest during his Saints years, his willingness to embrace changing roles and systems spoke to the professionalism that defined his career. He consistently delivered the kind of dependable production teams look for from veteran tight ends.

Irv Smith Family

Family Background and Football Lineage

Smith comes from a family with deep football roots. His older brother, Ed “EZ” Smith, played tight end in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, giving the Smith family two professional players at the same position. The brothers share a bond shaped by years of competition and mutual encouragement, and they later partnered in sports media, co-hosting “EZ Sports Talk” together in Phoenix, Arizona.

Personal Life

Smith is the father of Irv Smith Jr., who followed his father’s path to become a tight end. Irv Smith Jr. played college football at the University of Alabama and is a member of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. The family’s multi-generational presence in the sport stands as a reflection of the values and athletic foundation that began with the Smith brothers in New Jersey.

2025 Season Performance

Although Irvin Martin Smith Sr. is no longer an active player, the 2025 season keeps his family legacy in the spotlight. His son, Irv Smith Jr., continues his professional career as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, representing the next generation of the Smith family’s contribution to the NFL. Watching his son’s journey remains a focal point for the former Saints first-round pick, who understands the demands of the position at the highest level.

From his post-playing vantage point in Phoenix, Smith continues to share his perspective on the game through his radio work, offering analysis informed by his years as a starting NFL tight end. His commentary often draws on the lessons he learned during his time in New Orleans, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Washington, and it gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the modern tight end position. The 2025 season offers another opportunity for the Smith family to celebrate the continuing impact they have made on professional football.