Irv Smith Jr. is carrying forward the legacy of his father! He joined the NFL in 2019 with the Vikings and is currently playing with the Houston Texans. He got promoted to the active roster after being signed to the practice squad in September 2024. This second-generation NFLer is building on a solid foundation.

Having transitioned from WR to TE in high school, following his dad’s footsteps, Irv Smith Jr. is now creating a legacy of his own. Despite his parents, Irv Smith Sr. And Rose Matamoros‘ separation early in his childhood, both of them have contributed significantly towards building his career!

Who are Irv Smith Sr and Rose Matamoros?

The foundation for Irv Smith Jr.’s NFL career comes from his dad, Irv Smith Sr. Being the 20th overall selection by the Saints in the 1993 NFL Draft, Irv’s dad was known for his skills as a tight end. Not just the Saints, he has also played for the 49ers  and the Browns. He did quite alright. His notable stats include 183 catches for 1,788 yards and 15 touchdowns across his career. A seven-year NFL veteran, Irv Smith Sr. knew what it takes to make it to the pros. He was the one who advised his son to play as a faster TE than a slow wide receiver. Look where that got Junior!

Even his mother’s influence in Irv Smith Jr.’s life cannot be understated. Irv’s mom, Rose Matamoros, and his dad, Irv Smith Sr. were together from 1993-99. But once they parted ways, they shared their son’s custody. Eventually, Irv had to move out of Scottsdale, Arizona. When he was in ninth grade, he moved with his mom to New Orleans, but his dad continued to visit and guide him.

Rose recalls a particularly impressionable memory from Irv Smith Jr.’s childhood when a stranger asked if her 4 or 5-year-old son lifted weights. He initially played basketball in Arizona with Mike Bibby’s club team. But as he joined Brother Martin High School on moving to New Orleans, he became more interested in football. Irv finally declared to Rose, “‘Mom, I don’t want to play basketball anymore. Football is my love, it’s my dream,’” as stated in a Brother Martins article. Irv also has a tattoo of his mom on his neck, depicting his love and gratitude for her.

How has his ex-NFL father shaped Irv Smith’s career?

When Irv Smith Jr. received the life-changing phone call announcing his draft selection in 2019, he was seated between his mom and dad. The hats for all 32 teams were arranged on the table in front of him. It was a special moment for the family, especially his dad. Smith Sr. also ensured that the spotlight was on his son. In an article published in 2022, he stated, “This is his moment. It’s not about me. Mine was 26 years ago. This is his day. The stuff that he’s about to do will make the stuff I did look so small”. He continued, “What Irv Jr. is about to do will be leaps and bounds more than what I did by far”.

Smith Sr. is truly proud of his son’s journey. He even remarked, “I liked football. Irv Jr. loves football. It’s pretty simple.” The father-son duo share a healthy bond, often engaging in friendly competition, like who can eat more. Smith Sr. calls his son his best friend, stating, “I love him to death and he loves me to death.” Irv Smith Jr reciprocates this feeling, always thankful towards his dad. Whether it is about his life decisions or football questions to boost his position as a TE, he always finds his dad by his side.

When Irv Jr. joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023, Smith Sr. announced that they would always find him on the sidelines. He stated, “Bengals nation, you are going to see Big Irv. He’s going to be somewhere in these stands, in this big No. 81. One of these jerseys,” as stated in a WLWT5 article in 2023.

On the occasion of Father’s Day, Smith Sr. also posted a heartwarming message, stating, “Big Irv, it’s Father’s Day Week. You know Father’s Day for me, it’s every day. It’s not a day, it’s not a week, it’s not a month. It’s not even a year. It’s a lifetime.” Irv Smith Jr. is mindful of how proud his dad is of him, and seeing the support brings him to the brink of happy tears. Feeling adequately blessed pushes him to become the best version of himself.