Paul Edward Smith

Paul Edward Smith Courtesy: New Mexico Athletics  
Release:   11/25/2014

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Paul Edward Smith

To his teammates, Paul Smith was known as “Smooth Smitty,” to his close friends he was “Chick.”  Smith was born on August 13, 1945 and had five brothers and eight sisters. Raised in Roswell, New Mexico where he was a star on the Roswell High School basketball, football and track & field teams, and by the time he was an upperclassman he had numerous college choices nationwide.  Lucky for the Lobos, he chose the University of New Mexico.

Smith’s sister Arlene Smith-Curl says as a young boy Smith loved sports, especially football. His mother fondly and proudly repeated the story of how “even as a little boy he carried his football with him everywhere he went, putting it aside long enough to eat or bathe only.”  According to his mother, Smith even slept with his football at his side. He loved the game and embraced his football dreams, working very hard to make it happen. Maxie Williams, a childhood friend of Smith’s, says that as a young boy his athletic ability was evident.

Smith came to UNM as a freshman on a football scholarship in 1964.  Due to his athleticism, he was asked to play freshman basketball as a Lobo.  As a sophomore he was able to join the varsity football team where he was a three-year starter on defense. Smith was also the first sophomore to be named Lineman of the Year in 1965. During his college career he was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference twice, was recognized as All-WAC by United Press International (UPI), and was UNM’s top defensive player, earning him the J.H. Golightly award. On top of his athletic prowess at UNM, he also served military duties in the National Guard starting his junior year.  Without a doubt, he was the total package.

In March of 1968 Smith was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the ninth round of the NFL draft.  He played with the Broncos for 11 years and was a member of the famed Orange Crush defense.  Named a Pro Bowl lineman twice in his career, he also played in the first Bronocos Super Bowl ever in 1977.  His efforts weren’t left unnoticed in Denver as he was twice named defensive captain and earned the Bronco’s Earl Hartman Memorial Award for being the most outstanding defensive player.  Although Smith completed his NFL career with the Washington Redskins, he was never forgotten in Denver.  In 1986 he was inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. 

One recollection that seems to come up over and over again from his former teammates, friends and family members is that Smith was a very kind and compassionate person.  From a young age, he cared about those in poverty and the elderly. It is evident from many stories that his kindheartedness and spirit of generosity did not leave him when he became successful. Smith bought his mother her first home and also provided financial support to another elderly woman in his Denver community which enabled her to buy her first home. Another story of generosity recounted by Smith-Curl is about a man who reached out to her to tell her that her brother saved him and helped to get him on his feet after being a hopeless, homeless alcoholic. The man told Smith-Curl that if it was not for her brother, he probably would still be living in those conditions today.  With Smith’s help the homeless man was able to get the professional help he needed and Smith even paid for his college education. This is just one of the many stories of Smith’s generosity. Not only was Smith a successful athlete, but a kind-hearted man who cared for others. Paul Smith died in 2000 from pancreatic cancer, but the memory of the man with the utmost character and achievements lives on.