EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Irv Smith Jr. began playing football in eighth grade. Becoming a tight end was only a matter of time.
The son of former NFL tight end Irv Smith had plenty of footballs, helmets and trophies in the house to steer him toward the sport. Some simple advice from his father, who played five of his seven seasons in the league with New Orleans after being drafted in the first round in 1993, helped him settle at the same position.
“He said, ‘You can either be a slow receiver or a fast tight end,'” Smith said.