[2], Beginning in 1960, he joined the Boston Patriots as a coach of the team's defensive linemen and linebackers. Gerald "Jerry" Sanford Smith (July 19, 1943 – October 15, 1986) was a professional American football tight end for the National Football League's Washington Redskins from 1965–1977. Kinnaman and Jon Bernthal are executive producing. Joel Kinnaman is heading to the gridiron for his next feature film project, playing former NFL player Jerry Smith. Smith was generally loved by teammates but didn%27t talk about his private life If you grew up near the Washington Beltway, you're likely familiar with former Redskin Jerry Smith. 1942) had a relationship with teammate Jerry Smith , … While a running back for the Washington Redskins, Dave Kopay (b. Known as the Bruise Brothers, the group helped the Chargers lead the NFL in 1980 with 60 sacks. [3] In 1968, the Cleveland Browns hired Smith as an assistant personnel director. Jerry Smith, Self: The NFL on NBC. And more from NFL Network. [3][5] The Broncos posted a 2–3 record under Smith. After retirement, he finished his law degree and became an executive director of the Players Association he helped to create. He died on October 15, 1986 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. Season Games Live or On-Demand* Watch Playoff Games & Super Bowl LIV Live or On-Demand. Yet off the field, Smith lived with a personal secret he did not publicly share with his teammates. It’s as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.”. The film is set at the height of the civil rights movement between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s, during a time of societal upheaval. Kaan founded the boutique film and television production and financing company Fandomodo in 2017. 2020 is the year to correct that. At Chaminade he played tight end and later in 1982 was elected to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. “Injustice for one person is injustice for every person,” said Owens. In 1956, he split time between the 49ers and Green Bay Packers. [7][8], Last edited on 23 September 2019, at 15:53, "Chaminade Julienne High School Athletic Hall of Fame", "Smith Is 'Flabbergasted' In Replacing Saban", "Chargers Fire Defensive Line Coach Jerry Smith", "Jerry Smith, 80, line coach with 10 pro football teams", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jerry_Smith_(American_football_coach)&oldid=917382932, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 September 2019, at 15:53. That’s one of the reasons this story needs to be told. Smith was secretly gay — a fact he kept hidden until his death from AIDS in 1986 — and Owens faced constant challenges and bigotry as a Black man while attending law school. 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Production on the as-yet-untitled feature is slated to start in the third quarter of 2021. 'A Football Life': How Jerry Smith faced his AIDS diagnosis Jerry Smith was a gay man in the NFL at a time when an openly gay player would not be warmly welcomed. The lives of NFL stars Brig Owens and Jerry Smith of the Washington Redskins are the subject of a feature film being produced by Fandomodo Films. JERRY SMITH Smith, Jerome Anthony Born: 9/9/1930 Dayton, OH Died: 8/6/2011 High School: Chaminade-Julienne Catholic (Dayton, OH) College: Wisconsin [1949R 1950L 1951L] Draft: 8th round (94th overall) 1952 San Francisco 49ers Military Service: United States Army Playing Record • Record Key Jerry Smith, a former tight end of … He was named All-Pro twice and held sev­eral NFL records that stood for years. Set … He also produced “Kinyarwanda,” a feature set during the Rwandan genocide. [4] From 1969 to 1970, Smith coached in the New Orleans Saints organization. This authentic looking custom made unsigned replica jersey is of Jerry Smith of the Washington Redskins. Not to mention team publicist Joe Blair . Dean, Kelcher, and Johnson all started in the 1981 Pro Bowl. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. “Jerry Smith was a star on the field, but was never able to find fulfillment in his personal life,” Kinnaman said. In 1966 he was moved to tight end in mid-season when Charley Taylor was moved from running back to wide receiver. Joel Kinnaman will executive produce and star as NFL player Jerry Smith in a Fandomodo Films feature about the close friendship between Smith … © Copyright 2020 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. Jerry Smith came to the Redskins in 1965 from Arizona State as a split end. Professional Football Player. The documentary focuses on Smith's life, his struggle to hide his secret life, and the ultimate price he would pay. At the time he retired, Smith held the record for the most touchdown receptions by a tight end in NFL history. NFL RedZone & Live Stream of NFL Network Jerome Anthony Smith (September 9, 1930 – August 6, 2011) was an American football player and coach. ***** From 1965-77, Jerry Smith was a two-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Washington Redskins. "If Jerry had come out, he would have not been a Redskin." [4] He coached the San Diego Chargers' defensive line from 1977 through 1983. Joel Kinnaman will executive produce and star as NFL player Jerry Smith in a Fandomodo Films feature about the close friendship between Smith and his longtime Washington Redskins teammate Brig Owens, Variety has learned exclusively. 48 NFL players who played under Jerry Smith. Tommy Oliver, whose credits include 2015’s “The Perfect Guy,” is producing through his Confluential Films with Anthony Kaan via Fandomodo Films. “He had Brig to help him through his struggle, but to this day so many young people don’t have anyone to turn to when wrestling with homosexuality — especially in the sports world. ... Washington Redskins Game Used NFL Jerseys, Alex Smith Washington Redskins Football Trading Cards, Washington Redskins Regular Season NFL … Smith led the NFL in career touchdowns by a tight end when he retired in 1977 and was popular among his teammates despite keeping his private life a secret. He fought for justice on the field and off, and protected Jerry at a time when America was about to hear about the Stonewall riots for the first time.”, Kinnaman’s feature credits include “RoboCop,” “Suicide Squad” and its upcoming follow-up. , Ohio and attended Chaminade High School, graduating in 1948 in 1952 and 1953 moved tight. 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