Admirable Admiral hopes to catch Chiefs’ attention
Jonathan Smith has been forced to prove himself all his life.
Things are no different over in NFL Europe, where he will start at running back for the Amsterdam Admirals in World Bowl XIII at 9 a.m. (PST) Saturday against Berlin.
Snubbed out of high school, Smith enrolled at Pasadena Community College before arriving at Washington State University. He played in 25 games for the Cougars, starting eight, and scored 15 touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Smith was not drafted out of college, but signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs, who have sent him overseas to gain playing time and develop his skills.
On the verge of the championship game, Smith again finds himself fighting for recognition, despite an impressive season. It was his rushing partner, Jarrett Payton, son of NFL legend Walter, who instead earned all-league honors.
“It’s been like that my whole life,” said Smith, who is 5-foot-8 and weighs just less than 200 pounds. “Since I’m a little fellow, I always knew I was going to have to prove myself. Coming out of high school I was supposed to go to Wisconsin, but that didn’t work out, so I went the junior college route. Then I didn’t make it in the NFL, so I came over here and now I’m hoping to step up to the Chiefs.”
Kansas City’s support of the overseas spring league has reaped benefits. Chiefs President and CEO Carl Peterson will be at the LTU Arena in Dusseldorf to watch Smith in action this weekend.
Notable graduates on the Chiefs roster include kick returner Dante Hall and Pro Bowl lineman Brian Waters.
“I talk to the Chiefs every week, to the running backs coach,” said Smith. “He’s keeping up on game film and likes my progress, but I know that when I get into camp I’m going to have to compete. I know that what I did over here won’t count for anything if I don’t perform in camp. But I’m a competitor and I’m confident.”
The former WSU player certainly has reason to be confident. His 147 carries for 711 yards ranked third in the league. He has also improved his game from a fundamental standpoint.
“Mainly I came here to get game experience, but I knew there were a few things I needed to build on, such as blocking, going through the hole and reading defenses.” Smith said. “I’ve improved in those areas, but I still need a little bit more. Each day I go out, I try to improve on the little things.”
Modest and quietly spoken, Smith does not begrudge Payton his recognition, and the pair provide a 1-2 rushing attack that could prove the difference between the Admirals and Thunder in World Bowl XIII.
“It’s been good playing with Jarrett,” Smith said. “We have two different running styles. Mainly he has power and can get to the outside, but I’m more of a shifty, make-you-miss kind of guy. I can also run through the middle as well.
“I think it’s going to take a team effort to beat Berlin, but our running game will be a big part of it – just as it was a big factor in our success during the season.”
The European adventure opened Smith’s eyes to more than just concentrating on football. The continent’s tourist hot spots differ greatly from Pullman, and he took full advantage of the opportunity to travel.
“I went to the Anne Frank house, spent a lot of time downtown and visited a couple of museums and the Cologne Cathedral,” Smith said. “I’ve been to Paris as well. A couple of the French guys on the team took me.”
Traveling aside, it’s now down to business for Smith as he confronts the Thunder and then Chiefs training camp, hoping to take his career to the next level.