We just wanted to say thank you for this fantastic video highlighting my brother Jerry! You captured the moments that we all remember. We will still actively advocate for Jerry Smith to be nominated and selected as a Senior Candidate to the HOF. At help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. In addition, I agree and love reading all of the comments listed below. Thank you All for the support in having his career discussed by the
Glad you enjoyed the video, Ms Gilchrist, thank you for watching & commenting. Your brother Jerry was a tremendously skilled player & tough as nails. All-Time Great Redskin & Tight End. I plan to start podcast this year and would love you have you as a guest, if you're interested. We will keep pushing for Jerry to receive his rightful induction into the HOF!
That sounds like a plan! We appreciate your support and now with the Seniors expanding to 3 players, hoping it opens up the backlog of deserving players. Did you happen to see the analysis of players who played mid split decades and how that affected some players All Decade selection? Read it late last night on twitter. Jerry was selected as an honorable mention by the author. Interesting find to say the least! Again … thanks for producing that awesome video.
@@bonniegilchrist7532 Thank you I appreciate it, look forward to it & will keep you posted! HOF is shameful for making payers & families like yourself wait it out & jump through hoops while modern day media darlings are "elected" by their media friends and walk right in. What a racket imo. I'll seek that analysis, thank you. All Decade Teams also flawed and, of course voted on by HOF. Jerry should be on one of his respected teams, & 1960's team seems to be in need of a 2nd Team TE... Thank you again...makes me happy to know you enjoyed the video...HTTR!
Hi Bonnie, I hope this note finds you well. Is there an email I can reach you at? Or will you reach out to me pls at nflxfiles@gmail.com? I appreciate it.
I watched Jerry Smith his entire career, he was Mr. Consistent. If that ball was thrown in his direction, it was HIS, he had amazing hands and could run after the catch. He was also the true meaning of a team player. His presence scared defenders. If a football coach wanted teach a tight end how to play the position, he should start by showing this video. With out a doubt, Mr Jerry Smith should be in the HOF.
I never knew about this guy until I saw his Football Life episode. A great player, a great teammate and a fine man. If I understand correctly, he was a veteran. He would play on Sunday after serving all night in the Army Reserve. I'm very glad to have learned about him. A gentleman.
Another fine highlight tribute to a great and underrated player! Smith ran precise routes, could run after the catch, had great hands, and was decent enough in his blocking. In his day he was one of the top 2 or 3 tight ends, and probably the best one in catching the football. Hopefully the NFL's Veteran's Committee with get around to voting Jerry into the Hall of Fame. Thanks again for putting together these superb videos for us!
Greatly appreciate your kind words and support of the channel. Eloquently stated, yet again. Jerry’s footwork was tremendous, especially along the end lines. Great teammate. Longevity. Clutch. Scored the ball. Hopefully he receives his proper due from Canton one day but Jerry Smith is HOF either way. Thank you again. Hope to have some more Sonny features up soon.
If you watch the highlight reels, you'll notice that when Charley Taylor caught a pass, Jerry would be the one to hustle over and provide much-needed blocking. That's one of the many qualities that made the Redskins team of that era great.
FYI. Written Senior Nominations and any backup material are due by June 15 for the 2023 class. Your video is so very helpful since it has been many moons since he played. Not many people are left who remember the Redskins from the 60/70’s and all that they accomplished. This footage proves his great career and the HOF caliber TE he is. Indeed our family has been waiting and each year that passes where he has not made it past the preliminary is heartbreaking to say the least.
Jerry Smith was my favorite Redskin. I met him when I was about five years old at a Shopping Center in Alexandria, VA where he was giving autographs. He was the greatest tight end of his time and should be in the Hall of Fame. I never saw him drop a pass; he had fantastic hands. It is a shame that he has not received the recognition he deserves.
Jerry Smith, Bobby Mitchell, and Charley Taylor terrorized NFL secondaries in 1967 ranking 1, 2 and 4 in receptions. Jerry Smith had defensive backs wondering who da hell is this guy? Nobody knew then he was gay that was the 60's!!!! He would have been run out of the league had he been discovered. He was steady Eddie, while defenses worried about Mitchell & Taylor, Jerry Smith ran wild catching every pass thrown to him. He was always there for Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer especially on 3rd down, Smith was dangerous near the end zone his pattened sliding catch was impossible to defend. He was a precise route runner if the pass was there you knew Jerry Smith had it. He was an excellent player and yes he should be in the H O F.
Agreed. Generally, if you retire as a RB, WR, or TE and you're the all-time leader in touchdowns at your position, you're a shoe-in to be in the HOF. (and it doesn't matter if your record gets broken in the future) But not Jerry Smith..... Jerry Smith retired as THE ALL TIME TD LEADER at his position and the HOF decided to ignore his career.
Generally, if you retire as a RB, WR, or TE and you're the all-time leader in touchdowns at your position, you're a shoe-in to be in the HOF. (and it doesn't matter if your record gets broken in the future) But not Jerry Smith..... Jerry Smith retired as THE ALL TIME TD LEADER at his position and the HOF decided to ignore his career.
Vince Lombardi new that Jerry Smith was a Great Player! He is very Good! Hall of Fame with Touchdowns. A Great Winner...Trust Vince! T J (Tom) Vanderloop, Author, Teacher & Packers Ticket-taker 1977 to 1986 at Lambeau Field!
There's only one reason Jerry Smith is not in the pro football hall of fame - the NFL is homophobic. Ain't no way they're gonna put a gay guy in there. If you talk about stats and numbers alone, Jerry Smith is way better than many of the tight ends from that era that are already in the hall of fame like Mike Ditka and Jackie Smith. And now there's another reason Jerry Smith won't be in the hall of fame: He played for the Washington REDSKINS. The karens and SJW's of the world will never allow another REDSKIN in the Hall of Fame. As a matter of fact, I won't be surprised if they demand to remove all the REDSKINS that are already in there now.
Agreed. Generally, if you retire as a RB, WR, or TE and you're the all-time leader in touchdowns at your position, you're a shoe-in to be in the HOF. (and it doesn't matter if your record gets broken in the future) But not Jerry Smith..... Jerry Smith retired as THE ALL TIME TD LEADER at his position and the HOF decided to ignore his career.
Some players just get overlooked. He will be in eventually. I don't think his personal life has anything to do with it. Look how long it took Jerry Kramer to get into the hall. Hands down the greatest pulling guard of all time. Jim Benton is still not in the hall of fame, This great Ram receiver was the second all time leading receiver when he retired. He will likely never get in.
The only gay former pro football player in the football hall of fame is Troy Aikman according to Dave Kopay who used to be the only pro athlete to come out as being gay in his 1975 book..
Dave Kopays 1975 book was published and this was the first ever pro athlete coming out.....Dave Kopay said that he knew that Troy Aikman was also gay and that he also kept quiet about it because he didnt want anyone to know and he lose his endorsements or hall of fame enshrinement..
Back in those days, there were no tacky gloves on receivers' hands. Consequently, the ball was caught against the body whenever possible. Try to catch a good hard pass going at the face using just your gloveless hands, and you very possibly could take a football to the chops.
I recall him passing away around 87 (not sure the year that's the year in my head). My grandmother knew him as well as many Redskins players due to her career/job at the time. She kept making a big deal about him not being gay because he was nice to her (yeah she really drew wacky conclusions like that). If I recall he was openly gay and no one cared, but we have to forget that so the NFL can have a new "first openly gay player" every other year. No one cares, being gay or not does not affect football. Non-issue, real issue is that Jerry Smith could play football. RIP buddy.
Has MORE career TDs than Kellen Winslow, John Mackey, Mike Ditka, Dave Casper, and Jackie Smith......those pretenders played TE and were somehow gifted invitations to the HOF, while a better TD scorer like Jerry Smith has been ignored.
I certain that Jerry himself would disagree with you strongly that those great tight-ends you mention were "pretenders." No need to disparage others to make the case that Jerry Smith should be in the Hall. As someone who grew up on the 1960s NFL, it's important to realize that the ground game still dominated, and as a consequence TEs who were major blockers were a priority. In Jerry's era, Mackey, Ditka, and Jackie S were "bruisers" who outweighed him by 25 pounds or more. They were the prototypical players for the position. What made Jerry special was his ability to excel as both a TE and a flanker, combining the skills of a wide-receiver with the responsibilities of the tight-end position. In sum, a unique and great player in his era, and fully worthy of Hall enshrinement. p.s., here's a recent blog on "overlooked" TEs -- it's a crowded field!: nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2023/06/great-tight-ends-of-1970swho-are-not-in.html
He and Charley Taylor would trade off at H-back. Jerry also made some critical blocks for Charley that resulted in additional yardage and TDs. Watch the highlight films carefully, You'll see,
@@andrewwilliams9599 when I think of the OG H back, I think of Clint Didier and how his job on almost every play was to smash Lawrence Taylor or another WILL in the 3-4. Pass catching and even run blocking were down the list from headhunting.
Didn’t make the HOF just because he was gay. That’s not right. Let people like what they want if it’s not bothering anyone. Hell of a player gone too soon.
We just wanted to say thank you for this fantastic video highlighting my brother Jerry! You captured the moments that we all remember. We will still actively advocate for Jerry Smith to be nominated and selected as a Senior Candidate to the HOF. At help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
In addition, I agree and love reading all of the comments listed below. Thank you All for the support in having his career discussed by the
Glad you enjoyed the video, Ms Gilchrist, thank you for watching & commenting. Your brother Jerry was a tremendously skilled player & tough as nails. All-Time Great Redskin & Tight End. I plan to start podcast this year and would love you have you as a guest, if you're interested. We will keep pushing for Jerry to receive his rightful induction into the HOF!
That sounds like a plan! We appreciate your support and now with the Seniors expanding to 3 players, hoping it opens up the backlog of deserving players. Did you happen to see the analysis of players who played mid split decades and how that affected some players All Decade selection? Read it late last night on twitter. Jerry was selected as an honorable mention by the author. Interesting find to say the least! Again … thanks for producing that awesome video.
@@bonniegilchrist7532 Thank you I appreciate it, look forward to it & will keep you posted!
HOF is shameful for making payers & families like yourself wait it out & jump through hoops while modern day media darlings are "elected" by their media friends and walk right in. What a racket imo.
I'll seek that analysis, thank you. All Decade Teams also flawed and, of course voted on by HOF. Jerry should be on one of his respected teams, & 1960's team seems to be in need of a 2nd Team TE...
Thank you again...makes me happy to know you enjoyed the video...HTTR!
@@nflxfiles bonnie your brother was a great teammate thats the impression i got
Hi Bonnie, I hope this note finds you well. Is there an email I can reach you at? Or will you reach out to me pls at nflxfiles@gmail.com? I appreciate it.
Why is this man not in the Hall of Fame?🎉❤🎉 60 career touchdowns…a master of his craft at the Tight End Position.
I watched Jerry Smith his entire career, he was Mr. Consistent. If that ball was thrown in his direction, it was HIS, he had amazing hands and could run after the catch. He was also the true meaning of a team player. His presence scared defenders. If a football coach wanted teach a tight end how to play the position, he should start by showing this video. With out a doubt, Mr Jerry Smith should be in the HOF.
One of those players who was decades ahead of his time like Don Hutson or Deacon Jones. Absolutely should be in HOF.
I never knew about this guy until I saw his Football Life episode. A great player, a great teammate and a fine man. If I understand correctly, he was a veteran. He would play on Sunday after serving all night in the Army Reserve. I'm very glad to have learned about him. A gentleman.
Another fine highlight tribute to a great and underrated player! Smith ran precise routes, could run after the catch, had great hands, and was decent enough in his blocking. In his day he was one of the top 2 or 3 tight ends, and probably the best one in catching the football. Hopefully the NFL's Veteran's Committee with get around to voting Jerry into the Hall of Fame. Thanks again for putting together these superb videos for us!
Greatly appreciate your kind words and support of the channel. Eloquently stated, yet again. Jerry’s footwork was tremendous, especially along the end lines. Great teammate. Longevity. Clutch. Scored the ball. Hopefully he receives his proper due from Canton one day but Jerry Smith is HOF either way. Thank you again. Hope to have some more Sonny features up soon.
If you watch the highlight reels, you'll notice that when Charley Taylor caught a pass, Jerry would be the one to hustle over and provide much-needed blocking. That's one of the many qualities that made the Redskins team of that era great.
FYI. Written Senior Nominations and any backup material are due by June 15 for the 2023 class.
Your video is so very helpful since it has been many moons since he played. Not many people are left who remember the Redskins from the 60/70’s and all that they accomplished. This footage proves his great career and the HOF caliber TE he is.
Indeed our family has been waiting and each year that passes where he has not made it past the preliminary is heartbreaking to say the least.
Jerry Smith was my favorite Redskin. I met him when I was about five years old at a Shopping Center in Alexandria, VA where he was giving autographs. He was the greatest tight end of his time and should be in the Hall of Fame. I never saw him drop a pass; he had fantastic hands. It is a shame that he has not received the recognition he deserves.
I watched the Jerry Smith Football life this morning, my impression was smith was very unselfish and a team first player
Jerry Smith, Bobby Mitchell, and Charley Taylor terrorized NFL secondaries in 1967 ranking 1, 2 and 4 in receptions. Jerry Smith had defensive backs wondering who da hell is this guy? Nobody knew then he was gay that was the 60's!!!! He would have been run out of the league had he been discovered. He was steady Eddie, while defenses worried about Mitchell & Taylor, Jerry Smith ran wild catching every pass thrown to him. He was always there for Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer especially on 3rd down, Smith was dangerous near the end zone his pattened sliding catch was impossible to defend. He was a precise route runner if the pass was there you knew Jerry Smith had it. He was an excellent player and yes he should be in the H O F.
Agreed. Generally, if you retire as a RB, WR, or TE and you're the all-time leader in touchdowns at your position, you're a shoe-in to be in the HOF. (and it doesn't matter if your record gets broken in the future) But not Jerry Smith..... Jerry Smith retired as THE ALL TIME TD LEADER at his position and the HOF decided to ignore his career.
Generally, if you retire as a RB, WR, or TE and you're the all-time leader in touchdowns at your position, you're a shoe-in to be in the HOF. (and it doesn't matter if your record gets broken in the future) But not Jerry Smith..... Jerry Smith retired as THE ALL TIME TD LEADER at his position and the HOF decided to ignore his career.
as a DC native....87 needs to be in the HALL ...just played ...no showboating...
On third and short, you could count on a quick strike from Sonny to Jerry just over the middle.
He was before his time in many ways. A HOF player for sure. JS
"Jerry Smith? He's a good 'un. He can keep the long hair and guitar."--Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi new that Jerry Smith was a Great Player! He is very Good! Hall of Fame with Touchdowns.
A Great Winner...Trust Vince!
T J (Tom) Vanderloop, Author, Teacher & Packers Ticket-taker 1977 to 1986 at Lambeau Field!
Vince Lombardi knew good players when he saw them. If he hadn't died of cancer, he would have led the Skins to at least one Super Bowl.
Belongs in the HOF, back when TE's played in a three-point stand along the line of scrimmage
That's a damn shame. Jerry Smith belongs in the HoF yesterday.
Should be in the H.O.F.
One of the great ones!
There's only one reason Jerry Smith is not in the pro football hall of fame - the NFL is homophobic. Ain't no way they're gonna put a gay guy in there. If you talk about stats and numbers alone, Jerry Smith is way better than many of the tight ends from that era that are already in the hall of fame like Mike Ditka and Jackie Smith. And now there's another reason Jerry Smith won't be in the hall of fame: He played for the Washington REDSKINS. The karens and SJW's of the world will never allow another REDSKIN in the Hall of Fame. As a matter of fact, I won't be surprised if they demand to remove all the REDSKINS that are already in there now.
Agreed. Generally, if you retire as a RB, WR, or TE and you're the all-time leader in touchdowns at your position, you're a shoe-in to be in the HOF. (and it doesn't matter if your record gets broken in the future) But not Jerry Smith..... Jerry Smith retired as THE ALL TIME TD LEADER at his position and the HOF decided to ignore his career.
Some players just get overlooked. He will be in eventually. I don't think his personal life has anything to do with it. Look how long it took Jerry Kramer to get into the hall. Hands down the greatest pulling guard of all time. Jim Benton is still not in the hall of fame, This great Ram receiver was the second all time leading receiver when he retired. He will likely never get in.
What do you think the H in H-back means?!?!😂
That’s a ludicrous take minus the part about him being gay. No one cares that he was a Skin
The only gay former pro football player in the football hall of fame is Troy Aikman according to Dave Kopay who used to be the only pro athlete to come out as being gay in his 1975 book..
Dave Kopays 1975 book was published and this was the first ever pro athlete coming out.....Dave Kopay said that he knew that Troy Aikman was also gay and that he also kept quiet about it because he didnt want anyone to know and he lose his endorsements or hall of fame enshrinement..
Him not being in HOF is a travesty
Back in those days, there were no tacky gloves on receivers' hands. Consequently, the ball was caught against the body whenever possible. Try to catch a good hard pass going at the face using just your gloveless hands, and you very possibly could take a football to the chops.
It was wondering learning about Jerry. No pun intended but he reminded me a little of Chris Cooley... Back of ok guys 😃 HTTR
I see more Clint Didier, Cooley was somewhat shorter and stockier, Didier like Smith were tall position receivers
Jerry Smith was far superior to Cooley; not even close. @@Salvatore1268
@@jeffbrooks-d8v my comparison was to Clint Didier
I recall him passing away around 87 (not sure the year that's the year in my head). My grandmother knew him as well as many Redskins players due to her career/job at the time. She kept making a big deal about him not being gay because he was nice to her (yeah she really drew wacky conclusions like that). If I recall he was openly gay and no one cared, but we have to forget that so the NFL can have a new "first openly gay player" every other year. No one cares, being gay or not does not affect football. Non-issue, real issue is that Jerry Smith could play football. RIP buddy.
October of 1986
Perhaps your grandma had a fancy for him 😉
@@bryansolis3139 she probably did
He "came out" after retirement from football.
Has MORE career TDs than Kellen Winslow, John Mackey, Mike Ditka, Dave Casper, and Jackie Smith......those pretenders played TE and were somehow gifted invitations to the HOF, while a better TD scorer like Jerry Smith has been ignored.
Good blocker too.
I certain that Jerry himself would disagree with you strongly that those great tight-ends you mention were "pretenders." No need to disparage others to make the case that Jerry Smith should be in the Hall. As someone who grew up on the 1960s NFL, it's important to realize that the ground game still dominated, and as a consequence TEs who were major blockers were a priority. In Jerry's era, Mackey, Ditka, and Jackie S were "bruisers" who outweighed him by 25 pounds or more. They were the prototypical players for the position. What made Jerry special was his ability to excel as both a TE and a flanker, combining the skills of a wide-receiver with the responsibilities of the tight-end position. In sum, a unique and great player in his era, and fully worthy of Hall enshrinement. p.s., here's a recent blog on "overlooked" TEs -- it's a crowded field!:
nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2023/06/great-tight-ends-of-1970swho-are-not-in.html
THIS MAN ALONG WITH PAT FISCHER BELONG IN THE HOF!!!
2:16
Hmm, I see.
Damn son, show em how the White man catch the ball
Although I’m not actually seeing any H-backing here. He seems to be a pass catcher.
He and Charley Taylor would trade off at H-back. Jerry also made some critical blocks for Charley that resulted in additional yardage and TDs. Watch the highlight films carefully, You'll see,
@@andrewwilliams9599 when I think of the OG H back, I think of Clint Didier and how his job on almost every play was to smash Lawrence Taylor or another WILL in the 3-4. Pass catching and even run blocking were down the list from headhunting.
The only reason he's not in the hall of fame is he played on a losing team, the only reason, he was a great te on a horrible team.
He also played on George Allen 's winning teams of the 70s
Unfortunately, that's not the only reason, and the other reason indicts our society as homophobic.
Redskins!!! Not the other name. The woke league ruined it.
AMEN
Ironic, because homophobic conservatives are the reason he’s not a HOFer.
The gay guy that's a tight end. 😂😂😂
Didn’t make the HOF just because he was gay. That’s not right. Let people like what they want if it’s not bothering anyone. Hell of a player gone too soon.