Lawrence "Tody" Edward Smith was an American professional football defensive end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills.
13 Facts About Tody Smith
1.
2.
Tody Smith played college football at the University of Southern California.
3.
Tody Smith acquired his nickname in a junior high school Spanish class, from "El Toro", because he was the largest boy in his class.
4.
Tody Smith accepted a football scholarship from Michigan State University, following in the footsteps of his older brother Bubba.
5.
Tody Smith transferred to the University of Southern California after his sophomore season, where he became a standout defensive tackle.
6.
Tody Smith appeared in the famed gunslinger photo of the five of them.
7.
Tody Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1971 NFL draft, after dropping because of an ankle injury he suffered in college.
8.
Tody Smith spent the first seven games of the season on the team's taxi squad, but when he joined the regular roster, he showed the Cowboys he had a future in the NFL and even contributed in the Cowboys win in Super Bowl VI.
9.
Tody Smith had a disappointing second year where he only played 10 games.
10.
Tody Smith was a starter for the Houston Oilers for the next 3 seasons, before being waived after he was injured with an ankle sprain in 1976.
11.
Tody Smith played in only 2 games and retired at the end of the season.
12.
Tody Smith's brother was actor and former NFL Pro Bowler Bubba Tody Smith.
13.
Tody Smith died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles on July 18,1999.