Anthony “Fish” Smithson[1] (born March 18, 1994) is a former American football free safety. He played college football at the University of Kansas. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens.

Fish Smithson
refer to caption
Smithson with the Washington Redskins in 2017
No. 37, 46
Position:Free safety
Personal information
Born: (1994-03-18) March 18, 1994 (age 30)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:Highland (Salt Lake City, Utah)
College:Kansas
Undrafted:2017
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Big 12 (2016)
  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2015)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:1
Player stats at NFL.com

College career edit

Hartnell edit

Smithson initially committed to play at Hartnell College out of high school where he played his freshman year.

Kansas edit

Following his freshman year at Hartnell, he transferred to the University of Kansas.[1] In 2015, he led the nation in solo tackles,[2] which led to him being named Second-team All-Big 12.[3] In 2016 he was named First-team All-Big 12.[4]

Professional career edit

Washington Redskins edit

After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, Smithson signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent.[5] He was waived on September 2, 2017, during roster cutdowns.[6] The following day, he was signed to the Redskins' practice squad.[7] He was elevated to the active roster on December 19, 2017.[8]

On September 1, 2018, Smithson was waived for final roster cuts before the start of the 2018 season.[9]

Arizona Cardinals edit

On December 19, 2018, Smithson was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.[10] He was released six days later.[11]

Los Angeles Chargers edit

On January 3, 2019, Smithson was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.[12]

Jacksonville Jaguars edit

On July 25, 2019, Smithson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was waived on August 4.[13]

Baltimore Ravens edit

On August 27, 2019, Smithson signed with the Baltimore Ravens.[14] He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2019, and was released on March 18, 2020.[15]

Personal life edit

Smithson's brother, Antoine "Shaky" Smithson, played wide receiver at the University of Utah and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers in 2011 but was shortly released off of injured reserve with an injury settlement.[16] His nickname "Fish" was given to him by his grandmother as a child due to his fear of fish.[17]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "2014 Football Roster - Fish Smithson". KUAtletics.com. January 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "Big Fish: Smithson has proven to be a valuable Jayhawk". KUAthletics.com. December 26, 2015.
  3. ^ "2016 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced". Big12Sports.com.
  4. ^ "2015 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced". Big12Sports.com.
  5. ^ "Former Jayhawks Smithson and Stewart sign as undrafted free agents". WIBW.com.
  6. ^ "9/2: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. September 2, 2017.
  7. ^ Czarda, Stephen (September 3, 2017). "Redskins Sign Seven Players To The Practice Squad". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
  8. ^ Czarda, Stephen (December 19, 2017). "Redskins Place Montae Nicholson On Injured Reserve, Sign Fish Smithson". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017.
  9. ^ "9/1: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. September 1, 2018. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "Cardinals add LB Pete Robertson, S Fish Smithson". ArizonaSports.com. December 19, 2018.
  11. ^ Urban, Darren (December 25, 2018). "With Waiver Claim, Cardinals Bring Back D.J. Swearinger". AZCardinals.com.
  12. ^ "Chargers sign S Fish Smithson to practice squad". Bolts From The Blue. January 3, 2019.
  13. ^ "Jaguars sign CB Josh Robinson and S Anthony "Fish" Smithson". Big Cat Country. July 26, 2019.
  14. ^ Brown, Clifton. "Ravens Sign Defensive Back Fish Smithson, Who Can't Swim". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  15. ^ "Fish Smithson: Parts ways with Ravens". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Packers make cuts, newcomers targeted Journal Sentinel, accessed June 29, 2013
  17. ^ "Fish Smithson on his nickname, not being able to swim". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2019.

External links edit