YOUR FAVORITE LOGO TV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

Gay NFL Legend Jerry Smith Subject Of NFL Network Docuseries "A Football Life"

Jerry Smith made football history in the 1970s when, as a player for the Washington Redskins, he caught more touchdowns than any other tight end in NFL history. But Smith is probably better known for being a closeted homosexual and succumbing to AIDS in 1986 at only 43 years old.

Tonight on the NFL Network docu-series A Football Life, the struggle and legacy of this two-time Pro Bowler comes into focus. A host of notable figures are interviewed, including former Redskins Sonny Jurgensen, Bobby Mitchell, Brig Owens, Larry Brown Billy Kilmer and Dave Kopay, who had a sexual encounter with Smith in the early 1970s.

Smith never discussed his sexuality while he was alive, and  never disclosed how he contracted HIV, but it seems at least some of his teammates were aware he was gay. "If people knew, they probably didnt talk about it," says former Redskins defensive back Brig Owens, at one time Smith's roommate. "There was that fear, because you didn't want someone to take away something you loved. He knew I was aware."

Professionally Smith was almost universally beloved. “When you needed a play to be made, you knew you could throw the ball to him and you knew some way, somehow he was going to catch the thing,” says Jurgensen in the film.

Noted LGBT advocate David Mixner, a friend of Smith's who will participate in a post-show program on NFL Network says the closeted athlete had a "horrendous existence" and lived in constant fear of being outed. "He was really alone and terrified that he was gonna lose everything."

The producers of  A Football Life believe that, despite his impressive record, Smith's sexual orientation has kept him out of consideration for the NFL Hall of Fame. Hopefully this will help change  that.

Watch A Football Life: Jerry Smith tonight at 9pm on NFL Network

Latest News