Rex Smith

Matthew Everett "Rex" Smith (March 8, 1896 – January 18, 1972) was an American professional football end who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at La Crosse State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse) and Beloit College, attending each school for two years. After college, Smith appeared in two games for the Packers during the 1922 NFL season.

Early life and college career Smith was born on March 8, 1896, in Rushford, Minnesota. He attended Rushford High School and is one of only two athletes from the school to ever to play in the NFL. After high school, Smith enrolled at La Crosse State Normal School (now known as the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse) in 1915, pursuing a course of study in physical education. He attended La Crosse for two years. There, Smith joined the football team but was not able to make the starting lineup. He led the second team as a quarterback and end during the 1915 and 1916 seasons.

While at La Crosse, Smith received military training. He applied for the first reserve officers' training camp in May 1917 and attended an examination in Minneapolis. He was placed on a reserve list of eligible candidates for the camp but due to his eyesight he was never called up to active duty. In the fall of 1917, Smith enrolled at Beloit College and tried out for the football team. He made the team as an end and won a starting role. The La Crosse Tribune noted that he "put up a good fight" and "made some brilliant plays" in Beloit's game against the Wisconsin Badgers, reporting that his play "seemed to indicate that the La Crosse normal mentors passed up a star in allowing the Minnesotan to remain on the seconds during his stay in La Crosse." Smith was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Professional career According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Smith was a member of the Canton Bulldogs of the NFL in 1921 as an end. However, he is not known to have appeared in any games for them. He did not play for any other NFL team after the 1922 season. Smith died on January 18, 1972, at the age of 75.