Chris Smith (defensive end)

Chris Smith (February 11, 1992 – April 17, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Smith was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans of the NFL and Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.

Early life
Smith attended West Rowan High School in Mount Ulla, North Carolina. As a senior, he had 98 tackles and 16.5 sacks.

College career
As a true freshman in 2010, Smith played in six games, recording three tackles. As a sophomore in 2011, he played in 13 games with three starts. He had 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks. As a junior in 2012, he started all 12 games, recording 52 tackles and 9.5 sacks. As a senior in 2013, he had 37 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 12 games.

As a senior in 2013, Smith was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Smith was selected 159th overall in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The pick that was used to select Smith was acquired in a trade that sent Eugene Monroe to the Baltimore Ravens.

Smith was released by the Jaguars on September 13, 2014. Two days later, he was signed to their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 20.

Cincinnati Bengals
On April 11, 2017, the Jaguars traded Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2018 conditional draft pick. He played in all 16 games in 2017, recording a career-high 26 tackles and three sacks.

Cleveland Browns
On March 14, 2018, Smith signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 16 games with two starts, recording 21 combined tackles, one sack, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

On December 3, 2019, Smith was waived by the Browns. He played in nine games, recording one tackle during the season.

Carolina Panthers
On March 5, 2020, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. He was released on July 30, 2020.

Las Vegas Raiders
Smith had a tryout with the Las Vegas Raiders on August 23, 2020, and signed with the team the next day. He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the team's practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster on October 10, October 31, November 7, November 21, and November 28 for the team's weeks 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. He was signed to the active roster on December 12, 2020.

Baltimore Ravens
On July 27, 2021, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Ravens. He was released on August 31, 2021, and signed to the team's practice squad the next day. He was released on October 19, 2021.

Houston Texans
On November 3, 2021, Smith was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 23, 2021.

Seattle Sea Dragons
Smith signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL on March 9, 2023.

Personal life
On September 11, 2019, Petara Cordero, Smith's girlfriend and the mother of one of his children was killed after being struck by a passing car after exiting Smith's car, which had become disabled after hitting a median.

Death
Smith died on April 17, 2023, at the age of 31. The cause is still unknown.