In a time where being gay wasn't socially acceptable, Jerry Smith lived in fear.
The former Redskins tight end was a homosexual in a time when it wasn't as accepted as it is today. On this, World AIDS Day, we stop to remember Smith, who lived a closeted life, yet shined on the football field.
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AIDS took Smith's life on Oct. 15, 1986, but he left a tremendous mark on the NFL prior to passing away. Smith played on the Redskins from 1965-77, and though he was a homosexual, he never came out due to the way society viewed gay people back then.
Smith went on to catch 421 passes and scored 60 touchdowns, a feat that was a record for tight ends at the time. The Redskins star had a tremendous career, making it to two Pro Bowls, playing in the 1973 Super Bowl and being named one of the 80 greatest Redskins of all-time.
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Despite acknowledging that he suffered from AIDS, Smith never admitted publicly that he was gay. The tight end played under Vince Lombardi in the legendary coach's final season in the league in 1969. Lombardi, who had a gay brother, preached to his players that he would not tolerate any homophobic behavior in his locker room, doing his best to shield Smith and anyone else from the negativity that spiraled back then.
Though Smith never came out publicly, his former teammate David Kopay, who was also gay, confirmed his sexuality after his death. Kopay also revealed that due to his sexuality, Smith dealt with a "horrendous existence," according to USA Today.
NFL Network's "A Football Life" series also documented Smith's career, delving into his "double life as a closeted gay man and a star athlete."
Smith was only 43 when he passed away, but he was a courageous football player and deserves to be acknowledged on this day of remembrance.
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