Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith and his sister, Ashley, are making NFL history as the league’s only brother-sister duo, with Trey on the field and Ashley working off it.
Their path to the NFL began in their Tennessee childhood, rooted in Saturday family traditions of watching NCAA Southeastern Conference Football games, complete with wings, nachos, and brownies.
“We knew what the plan was. We’re watching some ball,” Trey told CBS Mornings. “There’s no question asked.”
“One thousand percent,” Ashley responded.
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Trey always looked up to his father, Henry, and wanted to follow in his footsteps.
“Everyone was walking around, ‘Oh, you’re Henry’s boy. You’re Henry’s boy. Hey, your dad was a good football player.’ I wanted to be like my dad, and I wanted to go play at the Super Bowl no matter what it cost,” he recalled.
At only 26, the Chiefs guard has already achieved his dream twice, boasting two Super Bowl victories.
Meanwhile, while her brother Trey executes plays on the field, Ashley manages the NFL’s player engagement program. In this role, she aids athletes in their personal and professional development throughout their NFL journey and into life after football. Her support includes providing players and their families with resources for their physical and mental health and financial well-being.
Dorsetta Smith, the late mother of Trey and Ashley, passed away in 2015 from congestive heart failure but was their greatest supporter throughout their lives. At the time of her passing, Trey was 15 years old, and Ashley was 24.
“The epitome of selflessness, you know, in terms of helping other people in times of need,” Trey said, describing his mom.
“She left a legacy of faith, of love, and also I call my mom my dream incubator. We would crawl in bed and just talk with her about our goals and our dreams. I would say that we think about her every single day and are really just focused on honoring her memory,” Ashley added.
On his mother’s deathbed, Trey made a solemn commitment to achieve two major goals: earning his degree and playing in the NFL, both of which he accomplished.
“I wanted her to know that the dream that I had as a little boy that I told her about, I’m gonna – go through with it. I’m gonna go get it done. That was the last moment I really had with my mom,” he said.
Drafted 226th overall in the 6th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Trey has since developed into one of the NFL’s top guards. Even more inspiring, he achieves this success alongside his sister, who is making a significant impact off the field.
“I have my moments where I’m just like, ‘Wow, is this really our lives?’ I think that is also a hope that Trey and I have, that our lives will inspire generations to come. That whoever sees this will look and say, hey, if the Smith siblings can do it, we can do it too,” Ashley said.
The siblings expressed gratitude this Thanksgiving, with Ashley stating, “We’re just getting started,” in anticipation of their future endeavors.
