Modern offensive football evolved significantly with the emergence of an underrated draft pick from Northwestern State. Jackie Smith, standing 6’4" and weighing 235 pounds of muscular build, was talented both as a college receiver and a track athlete. His unique blend of height and explosive speed attracted the attention of the St. Louis Cardinals, who selected him in the tenth round of the 1963 NFL Draft. Initially projected as a flanker, Smith was soon transitioned to tight end, a shift that dramatically expanded the tactical role of the position for future generations.
His game mechanics introduced a groundbreaking archetype to professional football. While tight ends were traditionally seen as extra offensive tackles who occasionally ran short curl routes, Smith showcased genuine, field-changing speed. He had the strength to overpower linebackers at the line of scrimmage during runs and the vertical quickness to outrun safeties down the seam. Once he caught the ball, he was a relentless runner after the catch, often dragging defenders for extra yards. To emphasize his exceptional athletic versatility, Smith also served as the team's main punter during his first three seasons (1963–1965), averaging nearly 5,000 yards with 127 punts.
His move to the professional league was immediate. In his rookie year of 1963, Smith quickly became the starting tight end and made an instant impact during a fifth-week game against Pittsburgh. In that game, he surpassed the Steelers' defense with 9 receptions, 212 yards, and 2 touchdowns, marking the rise of a matchup nightmare.
By the mid-1960s, Smith had become one of football's top pass-catchers. His remarkable streak started in 1966, marking his first of five straight Pro Bowl selections (1966–1970). The highlight of this period was his exceptional 1967 season, where he served as the ultimate vertical threat, catching 56 passes for 1,205 yards and 9 touchdowns in 14 games. His impressive 21.5 yards per reception that year was extraordinary for a tight end and earned him First-Team All-Pro honors. That season's 1,205 receiving yards shattered typical tight end benchmarks of the era and remains one of the most explosive individual seasons by a tight end in NFL history.
Throughout his career, Smith played through severe injuries and remained the core of the St. Louis offense for fifteen seasons (1963–1977). He appeared in 198 games for the team, achieving a streak of 45 consecutive games with a reception. His brief final stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 1978 included participation in Super Bowl XIII. When he retired, Smith had set records with 7,918 receiving yards and 480 receptions, the highest ever by a tight end in NFL history.
Smith was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994, becoming just the third tight end in history to enter the Hall. Amazingly, as of this writing, he is not part of the Cardinals Ring of Honor.