smith then began a career in professional football, playing at tight end with the frankfurt galaxy of the nfl europe in 1996. he was signed to the washington redskins practice squad as a free agent in july 1996, where he remained for the rest of the season. in 1997, he was signed to the atlanta falcons practice squad and was promoted to the team's active roster during the season. his first game in uniform was against a new orleans saints team that included his brother, irv. the brothers would again be on opposing teams in 1998, with irv playing for the san francisco 49ers. smith won an nfc championship with the falcons in 1998. he split the 1999 nfl season between the philadelphia eagles and detroit lions, and his nfl career ended following that season. smith then played for the birmingham thunderbolts of the xfl during the league's only season in 2001.