Hey there! If you‘re an NFL fan like me, you may already know Jaylon Smith as one of the league‘s top young linebackers. But did you also know that he has a brother, Rod Smith, who plays in the NFL too? In this detailed guide, I‘ll tell you all about Jaylon Smith‘s background, his special bond with his brother Rod, and the highlights so far of his impressive pro football career. Let‘s dive in!
Getting to Know the Smith Brothers
Jaylon and his older brother Rod grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana loving sports – especially football. Rod played college ball at Ohio State before getting drafted by the Cowboys in 2016. A year later, his little brother Jaylon joined him in Dallas after being picked in the second round.
Even though they play for different teams now, the Smith brothers remain super close. In 2017, they even filmed a really cool music video together called "How We Do" showing off their brotherly bond.
Jaylon has racked up more accolades so far at the pro level. He‘s been to the Pro Bowl twice and was an All-Pro in 2019 – huge honors for any NFL player. But Rod has also carved out a nice career as a running back and special teamer.
Battling Back from a Devastating Injury
During his last college game at Notre Dame in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, Jaylon suffered a truly scary knee injury. He tore his ACL and LCL and damaged some nerves too. Some people wondered if he‘d ever be able to play football again.
But Jaylon didn‘t let the injury defeat him. After the Cowboys picked him in the second round of the 2016 draft, he rehabbed the entire year and made his NFL debut in 2017. Talk about determination!
Over his first four seasons in Dallas, Jaylon racked up more than 350 tackles, 10 sacks and overcame all doubts about his football future. His comeback was so impressive that the Cowboys rewarded him with a $64 million contract in 2019.
Earning Respect On and Off the Field
In addition to his clear physical talents, Jaylon has earned huge respect as a leader on and off the field. Cowboys coaches and teammates rave about his work ethic, football smarts and maturity.
The team named Jaylon a captain, which shows how much they value him. He‘s also stayed involved in community service and looks to be a great role model for young fans.
"Jaylon has overcome so much," Dallas coach Jason Garrett remarked. "He‘s just a special person and football player." High praise from his boss!
By the Numbers: Jaylon‘s Standout NFL Career
Let‘s take a quick look at some of the impressive stats Jaylon has put up so far as a pro:
- 436 total tackles
- 18.5 sacks
- 9 forced fumbles
- 4 interceptions
- 6 fumble recoveries
- 2 Pro Bowl nods
- 1 First Team All-Pro selection
Those are some sweet numbers for a guy just beginning his NFL journey! No wonder the Cowboys gave him that huge second contract.
Starting a New Chapter in Green Bay
In a surprising move, Dallas released Jaylon in 2021 largely for salary cap reasons. But their loss was the Green Bay Packers‘ gain! The Pack quickly scooped up Jaylon by signing him to a 1-year $5 million deal.
The Packers needed help at linebacker and saw Jaylon as a perfect fit. So far, he‘s made an immediate impact, including a clutch interception in an early season win over Detroit.
Playing in Green Bay gives Jaylon a fresh start and he seems fired up for this new opportunity. As the Packers chase a championship, he‘ll be right in the middle of that pursuit!
Brothers by Blood, Friends by Choice
Even though they‘re on different teams now, Jaylon and Rod remain super tight. They constantly express their love and admiration for each other. According to Jaylon, having his big bro in the NFL too makes the whole experience even more special.
"Rod‘s always got my back," Jaylon says. "We‘ll always be brothers first." Their bond goes so much deeper than football.
Both brothers overcame long odds to make it in the NFL and now motivate each other to keep striving for greatness. These two are family, friends, and inspirations to one another – on and off the field.
So there you have it! I hope this guide gave you some new insight into Jaylon Smith‘s family background, his unbreakable bond with his brother, and the playmaking skills that make him one of the NFL‘s top young linebackers. Let me know if you want to know anything else about the Smith brothers!
