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I love how to this day they are all so loyal to this man. These are the kind of friends we all need.
I'm 72 years old and I lived outside Washington, DC, during the days written about and was a BIG Washington Redskins fan! Jerry Smith was one of my favorite Washington players of all time and I hate that he's not in the Hall of Fame. He was a real champion. I cried the day he died, and I cried for all of the other people who died from AIDs. So much more could have been done to combat that disease in the early days but the politicians were afraid.
A lot of idiots still practiced risky behavior after it was widely known that the deadly disease was out there.
heck, in the early days, they had no idea what it was.
Reagan and Falwell were draconian enemies of the gay community. AIDS = "God's punishment". Right. Reagan diverted millions in funds set up for AIDS research into other programs. But, hey. The U.S. is not in a good place today because of Reagan and the Republcians.
That's why he's not in the HALL OF FAME. The NFL doesn't want to allianate the conservative Evangelicals.... So .... That's why it was kept a secret as much as possible.... Imagine how many current players are living the same.... DOUBLE LIFE ... Today?
Wow 🥹 Put that man in the Hall of fame not only does he deserve it but he has earned it, RIP Jerry Smith 🕊🙏
He sure has earned it. And does deserve to be in the HOF.
@toyman81 I was way to young as I was born in 73 but from the stats shown on da docu it says it all plus he he was a great teammate and gentleman the HOF has messed up multiple inductees but with this one if done right away it will start them in the right direction.
How is he not in the HOF!? Seems like we haven’t progressed as much as a society than we think we have…
@@chopinho65 💯
@@epm5433Yeah on merit alone there are dozens are guys who deserves a place in Canton before him.
My God, this story just brought me to tears. I'm a man in my late thirties and can count on one hand how many times I have cried in the last 25 years. It's hard to imagine living the life he did, having to hide who he was just to be able to continue doing what he loved. And to pass away so tragically and have the courage to announce it to the world to bring hope for others suffering the same disease, that speaks volumes about his character. RIP Mr. Smith, love and respect from us.
Sounds like you need to butch up some.
What a hunk
I knew Jerry in his Boathouse days. He was always smiling and so happy to see you. He was a kind and sweet soul. He was also the first of many very close friends in the early 80's taken from the world by AIDS. So happy to know he will always be immortalized for his accomplishments. What an amazing football star. So very sad he couldn't have lived in a time with drugs that would save his life.
Hello, I live in San Antonio and have been to the boathouse. At the time I didn’t know he owned it. Fun place!
The Boathouse was indeed a fun place in the 1980's. I remember they had .10 cent drinks on Friday nights. Across the street was Halls and you'd go back and forth most weekends. Fun times. RIP Jerry! Beautiful man.
Crying!!!😢😢😢😢 What a brave man. Jerry Smith should’ve BEEN inducted in the Hall Of Fame.
Oh Christ... I just lost it when Ed Smith brokedown on film. The grief, love and loss he showed for his brother was unbeliveablably beautiful yet upsetting at the same time. As a gay man myself, I felt a connection to this story for all the reasons including being ashamed of who I've been all these years since many of us were not supported while growing-up in the 80's and 90's - However, it's a different time now.
I had Thanksgiving dinner with Jerry and some friends in Austin in the early 80's. Great guy. RIP Jerry Smith.
I remember Jerry Smith coming into a dance club near the US Capitol, that I used to frequent. Never got to meet him, but he certainly stood out. He also did commercials in the DC area, when I lived there. I always felt that I knew a secret that all of those admirers never knew. Of course, I never told any of my friends that I would see him out. We were both on the down low back then. I felt awful when I saw that he had died from AIDS, a condition that he didn't survive, but I was lucky enough to live with. I felt as though we were "brothers" in that fight, even though I never had the guts to go up and say hello to him and tell him that I was a big fan.
I’m glad I ran into this video documentary. Jerry’s career ended when I was still a child and he passed when I was still a teenager in high school. I never knew anything about him but now, as a gay man, I’m inspired by his story.
Regardless of subject matter this is one of the best, if not the best, documentaries I have ever watched on KZhead. Please give a view and thereby pay a tribute to a special football player and more important to a special man. The organization NFL FILMS deserves widespread recognition for producing such an excellent and heartfelt documentary. And of course posthumously thank you Jerry Smith for your courage.
That's wonderful that Jerry was so well loved by his teammates. I wasn't a football fan then but Jerry sounds like a courageous hero!
Jerry's story has brought tears to my eyes. Jerry is in better place with no pain and enjoying catching passes all he would want. God Bless his brother and sister and rest of the family. Much respect in my heart. HOF is over due.
Jerry deserves a place in the football hall of fame. Period.
YES!! For being THE BEST tight end EVER!!!
@@stumack9755 That would be Rob Gronkowski
@@winstonsmith11 Not even close, best tight end ever was Tony Gonzalez
As a child of the 70's and growing up in Virginia, the Redskins were my team. I lived and breathed the burgundy and gold. Jerry Smith was my favorite player, he was always in the thick of things and he was tough and rugged player. He always wore eye black under his eyes, his helmet was pulled down low and his hair was a perfectly level line under the back of his helmet. He always ran with such a smooth stride but never ran away from a hard collision, he was to me the best player on the team. I'll always believe the Redskins were a better team then the 72 Dolphins and with a few plays going differently the Redskins win Super Bowl VII. Jerry Smith and Larry Brown deserve to be in the HOF but to me Jerry was the Redskins icon of that era. RIP Jerry Smith #87.
I too am a child of the 70's and lived in Northern Virginia. The Over the Hill Gang was everything. I even cried after we lost that Super Bowl. I met Jerry once when he came (and other Redskins) to my high school to play basketball. Yeah, basket ball for a fundraiser. (Theismann's too first year with us) The memories of those Redskins days are special memories to me. RIP Jerry...
Thank you for your post. #87 was and always will be my favorite player. RIP Jerry!
*than
(35:46) Ed, Jerry’s brother, started crying on camera…and I cried with him…
I'm from Australia, and love NFL and love watching and learning about the history of the game and it's players... and up until this point, ive seen no man more deserving of a place in Canton than Jerry Smith.... Go Raiders
American football is N o t h I n g compared to Aussie Rules!!
@@eugeniasyro5774 100%
His funeral was so sad, all his great Redskins team mates like Jurgensen, Taylor, Jefferson carried his coffin. Just terrible what happened to him, but we'll never forget him.
I came out in May 1968 with my first partner. We lived in DC for a while. I remember Jerry Smith. I also remember, and met, David Kopay another gay Redskins athlete. We had to live double lives for the sake of self-preservation. "He" became "she" when taking about one's partner. The lover became the cousin. Sadly, despite the advancements in gay rights over these last fifty-so years, there is a mounting effort in this country to push us back into the proverbial closet.
Man seeing stories like this blow my mind, how could an entire country be so ignorant and dense. I’m a heterosexual but I was raised to believe things like that didn’t matter. I’m lucky to have good parents that grew up in those times and thought how dumb it was to worry about someone’s sexuality. My father was a firefighter/ paramedic and always told me life isn’t promised treat people right because when your gone all they will have is memories of how you acted and treated the people around you.
Thank you for your words and sentiments.
Let's get this man in the HOF. I'll sign anything
Jerry definitely caused havoc on the field. He definitely was one of the great ones. He definitely belongs in Canton. May he RIP.
More of A Football Life on KZhead please!
Nfl blocks most of them.
Great pieces of classic eras🏈⭐️
Jerry Smith held the NFL record for touchdowns by a Tight End with 60 by the time he retired. It wasn't until Shannon Sharpe broke it in 2003 that the record was broken. He was recognized at the time one of the best Tight End receivers of his era, for not to be inducted in the HOF is a travesty.
Well, you did my work for me. I've used this same argument for years to drawn attention to the accomplishments of Jerry. The first Hall of Fame tight end was Mike Ditka, who had 427 receptions for 43 TDs. How are Smith's 421 catches for 60 TDs not adequate for enshrinement in Canton?
He was a powerbottom
@@jefferyroy2566 because he played for the Redskins.
@@brianjungen4059 OK, but what about a more widespread prejudice? Jerry died of AIDS in 1986. Given the hard-ass, macho sensibility of football, and the fact he died a closeted gay man, the conflict between those two realities might have something to do with his exclusion from the HoF. The league did create "A Football Life" for him: kzhead.info/sun/htCMcpafsaimdZ8/bejne.htmlsi=9wmUrxMyKVeyXBAa Now, the NFL needs to complete the honor and get Smith a bust in Canton. Too bad he won't get to wear one of those so-called "gold jackets," which in sunlight have a rather gay yellowish hue.
@darryl163 whats that?
My favorite episode of A Football Life. The fact that his teammates spoke so highly of him and he was an absolute gentleman really carried force with me. It's all about character.
To think that something so stupid, being gay, could have ruined a person’s career shows how shallow people can be. I came out in 1972, and never looked back. I boldly pursued a career with the federal government. No person could hold me back. I saw firsthand the ignorance of some people. I was married to my husband for 18 years. Until a heart attack took him. I never remarried because it doesn’t happen twice. Live your life and know that people before you paid a price, for you, so you can be yourself and proud. I’m 65 now filled with happy memories and some tears. I’m happy for the younger generations but I understand that there’s still hatred out there. Mostly because of what “Christian’s” spew out of their mouths, yet themselves are evil and hateful. Not all. Jerry deserves his place in history but his disease does not.
I’ll always remember watching this episode for the first time many years ago. It left a deep impression on me. Jerry’s story is inspiring, powerful and incredibly sad. Rest in peace to Jerry Smith
I was really moved by this film of an incredible champion. I have led a double life also which is the hardest thing to have to do. Yes even to this day it can make or break you if you’re open about your sexuality. RIP Jerry
Had the pleasure of meeting both Jerry and Dave Kopay when i was kid living in D.C. they were friendly and always wiling to sign an autograph for young fan.
Somebody needs to write this autobiography. Fascinating
Although I wasn't a redskins fan Jerry was one of my absolute favorite players when I was a kid Talented and hard nosed on the field with a true desire to win
Why is this man not in the hall of fame?
A very thought-provoking and sad story, spanning the 1960's to the '80's.
What a true pure football player
To Jerry’s sister: I knew your brother. I was a student at AZ State U. He was such a nice man. I double dated with him several times. It wasn’t until later that I was told he was gay. I just wanted to let you know. He was great!
Did you make out
@@JK-br1munot your business... smh
Did you peg him?
Beautiful, respectful and Honorary account of his life. May you resting in peace Jerry Smith.
Growing up in the D.C area in the 60's and 70's everybody knew who Jerry Smith was. He was a Great Football player but a Greater human being. He did a lot of great things for the youth in the area. Totally should be in the H.O.F.
The guy could catch the football. When the Redskins had Sonny throwing to Jerry Smith, Charley Taylor and Bobby Mitchell - that may have been the best exhibition of QB - receiver timing in the history of football.
I'd take this man on my team any day of the week
I must confess that I don't know anything about American football, so don't know what a tight end is. But, as an athelete, and a man, he was/is an inspiration. His family, friends and teamates are so fortunate to have had him in their lives, even for the fleeting time they had. Few stories bring me to tears😢
Jerry Smith Was Tight End Of Washington Redskins From The 70s Before Untimely Death In 1986 It's Reminds Me Of Todd Heap Thanks For Uploading
I stumbled on this. Pure excellence. So emotional the player and the documentary. Thanks very much!
Thank you soooo much Jerry Smith. Hall of Famer you are!
Excellent documentary. The Bill Walsh documentary is the best "Football Life", but this was very well done.
RIP uncle Jerry.
Do I think that Jerry should be in the NFL hall of fame? Yes he should have been inducted years ago
Rest in peace Jerry smith
What a heartbreaking story. It's crazy looking back to think they really believed a pro football player being gay could jeopardize national security. Like, what could he possibly know?? RIP Jerry Smith!
Back then religious beliefs had a bigger pull in America.
I believe it was because gay and lesbian people generally had to keep their orientation from becoming publicly known for fear of losing their jobs/careers/reputations etc. And there were people who played upon that by telling gay or lesbian people that they better say or do a certain thing to benefit whoever was blackmailing them, or they would out them.
What a hunk. And what a man. And what a HERO. Rest easy Jerry Smith. Well done.
Giant fan since 1965. Always admired Jerry Smith for his talent. Never knew this story on his lifestyle. I admire him more now for how he lived his life. Respect 🙏. He belongs in the HOF. Great story
BEING GAY IS NOT A LIFESTYLE! LIVING ON THE BEACH IS A LIFESTYLE!
RIP 🌹 🙏 Jerry Smith Not Forgotten ❤
Poor guy. That musta been rough God Bless him Matt NYC
Thank you NFL for keeping 🏈 real & shining the light on damn good players
What a beautiful story !!!
So many great men of character played for the redskins in the 70s🏈
I remember reading Dave Kopey's book, decades ago.
I have rather 1000 Jerry Smith's in the NFL than 1 Brett Farve Thx for playing and thx for who you have been 👍😀🙋♂️
I think I found another hero to follow; may the perpetual light shine upon him.
What a beautiful but very sad story to think this man jerry is not still with us today. To see how much he was loved. What an amazing man he was, i can identify with all the suffering he went through.. Having to hide his real identity even with the people he loved. And i was just an normal joe soap, not famous in any way. My heart goes out to his sister and brother. When is the day going to come that a man or woman's sexuality is not questioned. Its only a small part of been a human being.A persons heart and soul are a much bigger part of them. Thank you for sharing jerrys story 💜
How absolutely heartbreaking that he couldn’t be himself for fear of being ostracized Must have been awful for him I hope he knows that he helped make the world a little more tolerant to anyone’s who is gay he probably didn’t realize it at the time but it’s taken soooo long to get wer we are today Thank u Jerry for all u have done an may u Rip ❤❤
3:57 R.I.P. Bobby Mitchell
Him and Jim brown are back together running tds into the end zone in heaven 🙏🙏
When I was in grade school I remember seeing JS at out church in Maryland on Sundays. He always stood in the back, near the door. He was a favorite Redskin of mine!
Thank you for sharing this story. May he rest in peace and his never forgotten.
He was one of the best tight ends in NFL history, he should of been in hall of fame.
Should have
Hi from New Zealand - I’m a huge rugby fan not NFL so whilst don’t get the game I see this guy is a giant and much respect to him!!!!
Even if you've hated the Redskins all your life, if you take the time to pour over his career stats you'll agree that he should have been enshrined in Canton many years ago. In a nutshell, when Jerry Smith retired he was the ALL TIME LEADER in touchdowns scored by a TE....yeah, he had more TDs than Kellen Winslow, Ozzie Smith, Dave Casper, John Mackey, Mike Ditka, and Jackie Smith.....AND he held this impressive record for 26 seasons until TE Shannon Sharpe passed it. How is it that all those mentioned TE's got invited into the HOF while scoring less TDs and Jerry Smith's superior accomplishments have been ignored???
Redskins routinely get passed over for the HOF due to the politics of their name and certain asshole sportswriters such as Peter King.
After living a life full of persecution and ridicule,my brother chose to refuse treatment for aids and die rather than continue living among the righteous zealots in the Bible Belt. Bless you brother, my heart cries out with the pain you endured
As a Dallas fan, this brave man should have been in the Hall of Fame a very long time ago! Obviously I wasn’t born when he played but the fact he is in the Redskins Ring of honor but not the NFL HOF is absolutely biased and ridiculous
Those "brave" activities are what led to his death.
Two different, unrelated things.
@@europaprimum7050 Your remark is cold and heartless. Back in 1986, many with AIDS faced the world alone and without any hope. Hell, Ronald Reagan didn't even the balls to talk about AIDS. It's only after Rock Hudson got sick that he put money into an AIDX Commission and even that first commission didn't have a doctor or scientist. It was only because of the gay community that a doctor from New York was added. This was the world Smith faced.
How can you say that??? The Cowboys' have 4 players in their ROH that are not in the Pro Football HOF.
Lee Roy Jordan is on top of that list.
I didn't become aware of Jerry Smith until George Allen came to the Redskins. I was 10 years old when Vince Lombardi came to the Skins and 12 when Coach Allen came. I remember him as a Great Player. Not one of the best, but The Best tight end. I went into the Marine Corps after High School, so I lost track of Mr Smith. I wasn't even aware of his retirement from football. It wasn't until he contracted AIDS that I became aware of him again. I remember thinking "what a loss. He was so great." He should be in the NFL Hall Of Fame.
come on Football fans, the man should be in the HOF. took 27 years for his record to be broken? Broken when the game changed to open up pass receiving?(Sure much easier in 2023)
Yeah, when you think about it it's pretty ridiculous that he is not in HOF. It doesn't make sense in light of the other players getting in.
55 year cowboys fan, here. Put this man in canton, ohio!
What's being a Cowboy fan have to do with it?
this story brings me to tears jerry smith very brave and courageous to share his story he was a nice man he should be in the hall of fame i hope he gets in i hope the commanders retire his number as well very loyal person to him self but to his teammates as well rip
One of the best "A Football Life" never knew Jerry Smith existed so glade I gave this this episode a chance. It is amazing sports a team can bring people closer have a understanding.
Admit I don’t remember Jerry Smith. Thanks for highlighting this great player. And from the words of his teammates, a great person. Sadly I am not convinced that Jerry would be accepted in today’s NFL as a gay man. We’ve still a long ways to go.
What Jerry Smith achieved, and what he endured, is the stuff of legends. Smith is mythic to me. I'm so moved by this documentary of his life. Words fail me.
Wonderful documentary. After viewing this, I hoped he found love in his life. The beauty and wonder of romantic love and its impact on our lives. I hope Jerry felt that kind of romantic love.
He is a Hero on many fronts Beautiful tribute. 👍🇺🇸⭐️🙋♂️🌈💙
still have all my football cards from the 70's. i use to pick a guy and put all his cards together. Did that with Jerry's cards
This was a great piece, and perhaps the best in the series.
JERRY DIED SO YOUNG! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SOUL!
He look like the Travis Kelce of his time 💯 R.I.P yea definitely should be in the HOF
As a longtime Redskin fan, I'll remember him as a great football player. I'm sure all gays suffered quite a bit back then. I also believe their conduct was more conducive to acceptance. As a person gay, straight, handicapped, etc. carry yourself with dignity and respect. If that's not good enough people, they can go to hell. Be like Jerry.
Sad yet inspiring story.
what a sad story .....what a gorgeous man.... RIP
Really interesting story, he definitely should be in the Hall
Put him in the hall of fame he deserves it.
This was extremely worth while.
We all lived that way back then and I can tell you it was awful. He contributed to the changes that came afterward in showing the world they were are not awful people. He si a hero!
Just looking at this guys stats, he was remarkably productive and consistent. Borderline HOF’er
When Jerry Smith retired he was the ALL TIME LEADER in touchdowns scored by a TE....yeah, he had more TDs than Kellen Winslow, Ozzie Smith, Dave Casper, John Mackey, Mike Ditka, and Jackie Smith.....AND he held this impressive record for 26 seasons until TE Shannon Sharpe passed it. How is it that all those mentioned TE's got invited into the HOF while scoring less TDs and Jerry Smith's superior accomplishments have been ignored???
@@colderbeer I’m usually the last guy to mention a conspiracy, but I think it’s pretty obvious this guys sexuality played a role. I mean it doesn’t add up otherwise
@Ditka-89 Most people didn’t know or care that he was gay. The politics of the Redskins name plus other factors play a bigger part.
Borderline Hall of Famer? Your comment is asinine!
Beautifully done
05:47 "Didn't give them a tumble" Ha-ha Haven't heard that one in awhile.
lol
One of the greatest TE's in NFL history is not in the Hall of Fame is a travesty! R.I.P. Jerry!
Prayers for the repose of his soul!
Very sad story for a great player . One of my brothers favorite players...My brother was a die hard Redskin fan..He should be in HOF because the way he played on the field..Just because he was gay should not exclude him from HOF..It was what he did on the field not in his private life...very very sad story...
Loved this video. Thank you . Too many commercials though
This was good!!!!
He should be in the Hall of Fame!!!! Jana Jahn
Crazy
Sonny Jorgensen won the Jerry Jones lookalike contest…..even sounds like him…
True, I can see that now that you mention it.
wow jerry smith.