Donovan Smith

Donovan Smith's Biography

Donovan Cole Smith, an assertive figure in the world of American football, was born on June 23, 1993, in Hempstead, New York. Currently a free agent, Smith carved out an impressive career as a professional football offensive tackle, earning admiration and a place among the leading figures in the sport.

In the initial years of his life, Smith lived in New York along with his twin sister; however, they moved to Owings Mills, Maryland before entering their sophomore year in high school. They lived there with their uncle and his wife, navigating through an early rush of independence and change. Amidst this transition, Smith continued to pursue his passion for football and enrolled at Owings Mills High School, where he showcased his innate skill for the sport.

During his time in high school, Smith’s prowess was exemplified by his impressive streak of not allowing a single sack as a junior or senior. His substantial contributions as a defensive lineman also drew attention and praise. Smith participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2011, further underlining his growing prominence in the sport. Apart from football, Smith also pursued track & field, hinting at his diverse athletic potential. His dexterity received due recognition, with Rivals.com rating him as a four-star recruit and ranking him as the ninth-best offensive tackle in his class.

Enticed by the prospects of refining his skills under structured guidance and intense competition, Smith committed to Penn State University, providing an ideal setting to hone his skills. Between 2011 and 2014, Smith underwent a significant phase of growth, proving himself as a remarkable player. After a year of redshirting, he emerged as a prominent starter in the 2012 season and managed to start 31 games during his career at Penn State. Upon concluding the 2014 season, Smith elected to forgo his final year of eligibility and decided to step into the big league – the NFL.

Taking notice of his promising potential, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Smith in the second round with the 34th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of a fruitful spell at the club. On June 1, 2015, Smith underscored a significant milestone in his career when he signed a four-year contract with the Buccaneers worth $6.06 million, featuring $4.37 million as guaranteed money and a signing bonus of $2.67 million.

Smith’s rookie season with the Buccaneers set the pace for his budding career. He was appointed the starting left tackle for the team—a position he would reprise for several more seasons. Smith kicked off his rookie season with the Buccaneers’ season opener against the Tennessee Titans, further cementing his status within the team when he managed to start in all 16 regular-season contests. His consistent performance in his debut season saw him earn a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

In 2016, Smith once again earned the role of the starting left tackle under the guidance of a new head coach, Dirk Koetter. He played all 16 games of the season and started 15 of them. Smith continued this trend for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, starting in every game and demonstrating his consistent commitment to the team.

Reiterating their faith in Smith, the Buccaneers signed him to a three-year, $41.5 million contract extension on March 5, 2019. However, the following year came with its challenge for Smith when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 18, 2020. He managed to bounce back and was activated four days later. Smith played and started all four games in the Buccaneers’ playoff run that resulted in the team winning the Super Bowl LV.

In an unexpected turn of events, the Buccaneers released Smith after eight seasons on March 7, 2023. However, Smith wasn’t a free agent for long as he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on May 4, 2023. This new venture proved fruitful for both Smith and the Chiefs as they secured victory in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers to bestow Smith with his second Super Bowl ring.

Away from the bustle of stadiums and locker rooms, Smith was brought up by his mother, Sharon Smith, amidst his four siblings – Ebony, Tamika, Danielle, and Dwayne. Smith carried an interest in criminology during his time at Penn State and envisages a possible future as a detective or FBI agent. Additionally, Smith has myriad hobbies which include reading, cooking, playing video games, fishing besides relishing standup comedy. Smith also made a guest appearance as a human canvas on the eighth season of Spike TV’s Ink Master.