Sammie Smith entered the NFL with the weight of a franchise on his shoulders. Selected ninth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft, the Apopka, Florida native was expected to finally bring a dominant ground game to Dan Marino’s high-powered Miami Dolphins offense. And early signs pointed to promise—until a pair of crushing fumbles in his third season changed everything.

In this powerful episode of The Fish Tank, hosted by O.J. McDuffie and Seth Levit, Sammie opens up about the soaring expectations, the heartbreak of losing his infant son, and the unforgettable moment tens of thousands of fans chanted “Sammie sucks!” in his home stadium. But this isn’t just a football story—it’s a story of loss, redemption, and unwavering faith. From the darkest days of incarceration to discovering his purpose through ministry, coaching, and authorship, Sammie shares a deeply moving journey that goes far beyond the goal line.

Edited by Sevach Melton. Theme song created and performed by The Honorable SoLo D.

The Fish Tank is presented by:

Van Horn Law Group

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CasaBella Design Group

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