© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith
It has now been five years since Geno Smith was involved in one of the most infamous locker room altercations in NFL history, and the former New York Jets quarterback does not appreciate the way the story was rehashed on Tuesday.
Geno Smith is a 6-3, 214-pound Dual-Threat Quarterback from Hollywood, FL. He has committed to West Virginia Mountaineers. QB Geno Smith is signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Smith will return to Seattle to backup QB Russell Wilson. The seven-year vet began his career back in 2013 as a. Eugene Cyril 'Geno' Smith III1 (born October 10, 1990), is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Jets in the second.
Smith suffered a broken jaw before the 2015 season after then-teammate IK Enemkpali sucker-punched him in the locker room. The dispute began over $600 that Smith supposedly owed Enemkpali when the quarterback no-showed a youth football camp that Enemkpali had invited him to. ESPN’s Rich Cimini spoke with several former Jets players about the incident and published a lengthy piece on Tuesday, which irritated Smith.
This what y’all posting? This what really happened? Hell no. Negativity sells in this world and lies go further than the truth. The devilish acts perpetuated in the media will never get old. It’s a shame what these people do for a story! https://t.co/esGO5mzNPF
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
Smith, who has never really given his entire side of the story, then went on a rant and said he will tell the truth about the incident when he’s ready.
You rats will never be honorable.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
We got the real story! We gonna tell it when we ready! We got bigger fish to fry right now and best believe I’m here for a real reason. Where I’m from things could’ve gone left after that incident very fast. I chose to take a different route. That’s what a man does.
Geno Smith's return to the starting lineup came to a premature end on Sunday, with the New York Jets quarterback exiting a 24-16 win over Baltimore with a right knee injury in the second quarter. The start was Smith's first of the year, and he was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started the previous 22 games for New York before being bench.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
I woke up to more money in my account and my baby smiling. I’m living a life only few can imagine. God been fighting my battles. These cowards will never win.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
Smith also accused ESPN and other media outlets of racism.
These media outlets instigate. They paint the picture of a successful black man in this negative light. It’s almost like there’s some sort of agenda. I haven’t played for the Jets in 4 years.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
Let’s talk about ESPN being owned by Walt Disney who made a killing off putting toons in black face. Soliciting violence in all the cartoons.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 11, 2020
Geno Smith Wvu
The general consensus from former players who spoke with ESPN was that Smith owed Enemkpali money and simply did not consider it a priority. Smith denied that he owed Enemkpali money not long after the incident, so it will be interesting to see if he ever tells his side of the story. There were some at the time who said Smith deserved what he got, while others felt he did nothing wrong.
Geno Smith Draft
Smith is currently a backup with the Seattle Seahawks, while Enemkpali is out of the league. For what it’s worth, Enemkpali was also unhappy about ESPN’s piece. He asked ESPN in a Facebook message, “What’s the point of bringing it back up? What’s your motive?”
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Gene Allen Smith, affectionately known as Geno, was born in Imperial, Nebraska, on Dec. 25, 1931, to Leslie Earl Smith Sr. and Gladys Beulah (Comer) Smith. He died early Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, 2020, at his home in Imperial. He was 88 years of age.
Gene was the middle son between his older brother Stan and younger brother Les. Geno was the risk-taker, the traveler and the “James Dean-type bad boy.”
He grew up in Imperial and following high school joined the United States Air Force in 1952. He was stationed on a small island (that was impossible to pronounce) northwest of Seoul, Korea, as a radar tech, or cope-dope as he called it, monitoring aircraft in and around the region. On coming home from Korea, he finished out his service on Mount Tamalpais in California in 1956. Geno was a patriot, a veteran and a proud American.
After Korea, Geno returned to Nebraska to farm with his dad and brothers. He, Stan and Les would ride the 20 miles to the farm together nearly every morning, and a good many business decisions were made at this time. Geno served on the Ne-Co Beet Board as a director for 13 years and loved farming.
Not only did he share pickup rides with his brothers but also a knack for mechanics, a bit of a hot temper and the ability to cry. Later in life, Geno and his brothers maintained their close relationship through a ritual of weekly breakfasts downtown and when those became too difficult, regular phone calls.
Geno Smith Girlfriend
He met Nelba Flippin in Denver and then persuaded her that Nebraska was the place to be and brought her back to be a farmer’s wife. Although they could not have children, Geno was a favorite uncle. He opened his home and heart to his nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and the children and grandchildren of others so important to him. Though unable to attend any of the athletic games of the young individuals in his life, he was so very proud of each of their accomplishments.
Family contact and gatherings were meaningful to him, as were the many friends he had in Imperial and elsewhere. Geno had the luxury at times in his life to travel and met a variety of people, including Johnny Cash before he became a star, and he was a lifelong fan since then. He enjoyed the warmth and beauty of both Arizona and California and made lifelong friends wherever he went.
Over the years, he was an active member of the Imperial VFW, Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 3472, Imperial ABATE and the American Legion of Colorado Post 1992. He never had much time for hobbies, but when he did he dabbled a bit in painting pictures of airplanes and making airplanes out of metal. He had a thing for cannons and was well known for making his own and shooting them off during the 4th of July holiday.
After he and his brothers sold their farm, GLS Enterprises, he opened a tire shop, naming it after his favorite symbol and hobby, Cannon Tires. He also developed a “no-shake” popcorn popper which he had manufactured and sold for several years. Geno later applied his history as a farmer to a career in crop adjusting and real estate, finding comfort and ease having contact with farmers and in taking in the land around him. He did this until he turned 80 years of age and poor health forced his retirement. Never happy to sit idle, the next six years were spent traveling the western United States until health issues interfered.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Nelba; parents, Leslie Smith Sr. and Gladys Smith; brother, Leslie Smith Jr.; and nephew Leslie Smith III.
Geno Smith Nfl
Survivors include his longtime companion, Cathy Rowley and her family; his brother, Stan Smith; sister-in-law, Sue Smith; nephew, Clyde and Lanette Smith; nieces, Jane and Darrel Norris, Melinda and Kass Gray, and Felicia and Randy Fair; and five great-nephews and five great-nieces, as well as great-great-nieces and -nephews.
Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at First United Methodist Church in Imperial, with pastors Kent Griffen and Melody Newman officiating. Interment with full military honors followed services at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Imperial FFA chapter to help share Gene’s love for agriculture with future generations.
Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
Liewer Funeral Home of Imperial was entrusted with arrangements.