L. J. Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
L. J. Smith

Smith with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009
No. 82
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1980-05-13) May 13, 1980 (age 45) Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	258 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school:	Highland Park
College:	Rutgers
NFL Draft:	2003 / Round: 2 / Pick: 61
Career history
Philadelphia Eagles (2003–2008) Baltimore Ravens (2009)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 233 Receiving yards: 2,556 Receiving touchdowns: 18
Player stats at PFR

John Smith III (born May 13, 1980) is a former American football player. He was known as L. J. Smith, which stands for "Little John." In the National Football League (NFL), he played the tight end position. A tight end is a player who can both block for other players and catch passes.

Smith played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. He was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens.

Early Life and School Sports

L. J. Smith grew up in Highland Park, New Jersey. He attended Highland Park High School, where he was a star athlete in both football and basketball.

In his last year of high school, he was a standout football linebacker, a defensive player who tackles opponents. That season, he made 143 tackles, 11 sacks (tackling the quarterback), and caught five interceptions.

College Football Career

Smith played for Rutgers University for four years. He became one of the best tight ends in the school's history. He finished his college career with 122 catches for 1,458 yards and ten touchdowns.

He was so good that he was named to the All-Big East team two years in a row. This award is given to the best players in the Big East Conference. In his final year, he was a team captain and led the Scarlet Knights with 32 catches.

Professional NFL Career

Smith playing for the Eagles in a 2006 game.

Philadelphia Eagles (2003–2008)

In 2003, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Smith in the second round of the NFL Draft. This meant they saw him as one of the most promising college players. As a rookie, he had 27 catches for 321 yards and one touchdown.

In 2004, Smith became an important part of the team's offense. He caught 34 passes and scored five touchdowns. That same season, the Eagles made it all the way to Super Bowl XXXIX, the NFL's championship game. In the Super Bowl, Smith scored the Eagles' first touchdown with an amazing diving catch. Even though the Eagles lost the game to the New England Patriots, it was a huge moment in his career.

For the next two years, Smith was one of the team's top players. He led the Eagles in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

In 2007, Smith had a sports hernia injury. He recovered in time to play, but it affected his performance. The next year, the Eagles used a "franchise tag" on him. This is a special contract that keeps an important player on the team for one more year.

Baltimore Ravens (2009)

In 2009, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He was a backup player for tight end Todd Heap. Unfortunately, injuries limited his playing time, and he only had two catches during his season in Baltimore.

Life After Football

After his football career, Smith stayed busy. He appeared in commercials for Campbell's Chunky Soup with his former teammate Donovan McNabb.

Smith was also a talented basketball player in high school and almost played in college. Today, he lives in New Jersey and owns a Plato's Closet store, which is a clothing shop. Inspired by his mother, he returned to Rutgers University and finished his college degree in 2016.