Trey Smith recently became the NFL’s highest-paid interior offensive lineman after signing a historic four-year, $94 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs just before the July 15 deadline. The deal not only secured Smith’s place with the Chiefs through free agency but also marked the fulfillment of deeply personal vows he made amid earlier hardships. Throughout this process, Smith reflected on the mentorship he received and the passion he holds for his position and team.

The Emotional Weight Behind the Achievement

Smith shared the profound significance his new contract holds in memory of his late mother, who passed away when he was 15.

“I lost my mom when I was 15, and I made two promises to her: Get my degree and play in the NFL,”

he revealed. The contract exceeded any expectations he had made at the time, but it symbolized the sacrifices his parents made to help him reach this point.

“To have that moment with them, it’s special. It’s special, and it’s something I won’t take for granted,”

Smith said, emphasizing how much this milestone means to his family.

Signing Day: A Moment of Joy in Familiar Surroundings

Smith received the call about his contract while getting a haircut at the Purple Label barbershop in Overland Park, Kansas, the same place where Patrick Mahomes had a notable grooming session just days after the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia.

“Yeah, I was actually in my barber shop,”

Smith recalled.

“Shout out to DeJuan Bonds, Purple Label. I was getting my haircut and I got the call, so let’s just say I was in and out really fast. … Going the speed limit, though.”

After hearing the news, Smith was quick to share it with his family, FaceTiming his father and sister.

“She’s just super excited, just talking to them, just really happy, man. We went through a lot, and being able to sort of put an exclamation point on that, there’s still work to do, but it was just an amazing time to spend with both my dad and my sister,”

he said.

Overcoming Health Challenges and Team Doubts

Smith’s journey to this peak moment was far from smooth. During his sophomore year at Tennessee, he was sidelined indefinitely after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs. Despite this serious health scare, Smith returned to play his junior and senior seasons, though the condition caused NFL teams to hesitate on drafting him. Ultimately, Kansas City’s general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid selected Smith in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, a decision that has since paid off immensely for the franchise.

Guiding the Next Generation of Linemen

With four years in the league, Smith now mentors rookie Josh Simmons, who faced his own setbacks after a knee injury dropped him to the Chiefs as the 32nd overall pick despite expectations of a top-10 selection. Simmons has been integrated into the starting lineup during training camp, playing left tackle alongside teammates Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, and Jaylon Moore.

Smith advises Simmons to approach his NFL career with patience and resilience.

“Just apply everything you can to your game,”

Smith said.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Everything’s not going to come at once; it’s going to take time to develop those habits.”

He also stressed the toughness of their training environment:

“Saint Joe’s is one of the hardest training camps in the NFL. It’s going to be miserable every single day and just get used to it, man. But at the end of the day, you just got to keep fighting, you got to keep punching, you got to keep swinging day after day after day, and just keep stacking and keep building. And when the season comes around, you’re ready.”

The Broader Implications of Smith’s Contract and Role

This landmark contract not only secures Trey Smith’s future with the Chiefs but also reflects the team’s confidence in his value both on and off the field. His resolve to honor his family’s sacrifices and his perseverance through health and professional challenges set a powerful example for teammates and fans alike. As Smith embraces his leadership role, especially in supporting promising players like Simmons, the Chiefs’ offensive line looks positioned for continued strength and development in the coming seasons.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Does Trey Smith have Parkinson’s?

A. In 2021, Trey and Louise moved back to Charlotte because of his worsening Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s conditions.