Fish Smithson
Anthony “Fish” Smithson[1] (born March 18, 1994) is an American football free safety who is currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of Kansas, and was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Smithson with the Washington Redskins in 2017 | |||||||||||||
Free agent | |||||||||||||
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Position: | Free safety | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Born: | Baltimore, Maryland | March 18, 1994||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics as of 2019 | |||||||||||||
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College career
Hartnell
Smithson initially committed to play at Hartnell College out of high school where he played his freshman year.
Kansas
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
Washington Redskins
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
On December 19, 2018, Smithson was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.[10] He was released six days later.[11]
Los Angeles Chargers
On January 3, 2019, Smithson was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.[12]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On July 25, 2019, Smithson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was waived on August 4.[13]
Baltimore Ravens
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
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
- "2014 Football Roster - Fish Smithson". KUAtletics.com.
- "Big Fish: Smithson has proven to be a valuable Jayhawk". KUAthletics.com.
- "2016 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced". Big12Sports.com.
- "2015 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced". Big12Sports.com.
- "Former Jayhawks Smithson and Stewart sign as undrafted free agents". WIBW.com.
- "9/2: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. September 2, 2017.
- Czarda, Stephen (September 3, 2017). "Redskins Sign Seven Players To The Practice Squad". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
- 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.
- "9/1: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- "Cardinals add LB Pete Robertson, S Fish Smithson". ArizonaSports.com. December 19, 2018.
- Urban, Darren (December 25, 2018). "With Waiver Claim, Cardinals Bring Back D.J. Swearinger". AZCardinals.com.
- "Chargers sign S Fish Smithson to practice squad". Bolts From The Blue. January 3, 2019.
- "Jaguars sign CB Josh Robinson and S Anthony "Fish" Smithson". Big Cat Country. July 26, 2019.
- Brown, Clifton. "Ravens Sign Defensive Back Fish Smithson, Who Can't Swim". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- "Fish Smithson: Parts ways with Ravens". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- Packers make cuts, newcomers targeted Journal Sentinel, accessed June 29, 2013
- "Fish Smithson on his nickname, not being able to swim". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 27, 2019.