Former Kansas City Chiefs tryout emerging as superstar two-way player in fledgling Arena League
A former Kansas City Chiefs tryout player is thriving as a two-way player in an upstart arena football league. Former Missouri and Raytown High School WR D'ionte "Boo" Smith was among 40 tryout players (see this year's group of tryouts here) to attend the Chiefs' rookie minicamp during the 2022 NFL offseason. He didn't catch on […]
A former Kansas City Chiefs tryout player is thriving as a two-way player in an upstart arena football league.
Former Missouri and Raytown High School WR D'ionte "Boo" Smith was among 40 tryout players (see this year's group of tryouts here) to attend the Chiefs' rookie minicamp during the 2022 NFL offseason. He didn't catch on with the Chiefs and now another team in Kansas City is benefiting.
Smith joined the KC Goats of Arena League Football and he's emerged as one of the league's most impressive stars. The league is wholly unique, featuring 15-man rosters, a 50-yard field, two-way players, and fast-paced no-huddle gameplay.
In his first game for the KC Goats, Smith went off for 11 receptions for 133 yards and six touchdowns against the Duluth Harbor Monsters. He earned Offensive Player of the Week honors from the Arena League.
Smith followed it up with four receiving touchdowns against the Iowa Woo in Week 2, bringing his total to 10 receiving touchdowns in just two games. Smith, however, saved his most impressive feat for Week 3, also against the Iowa Woo.
In addition to playing receiver and catching a touchdown pass, Smith played defensive back and had three consecutive pick-sixes to close out the game.
In just three weeks, Smith's 14 scores lead the Arena League in total touchdowns. He leads the league in virtually every offensive receiving category including yards, yards per game, touchdowns, and touchdowns per game. The KC Goats are off to an undefeated start and they've scored 92 more points than the next closest team, largely in part due to his contributions on both offense and defense.
While this version of football is a far cry away from the NFL game, it's still hard not to wonder what Smith might have been able to do had he made the Chiefs' 90-man roster after his tryout. His talent is apparent and the KC Goats are capitalizing in a big way during their inaugural season.
You can see Smith's next game as the KC Goats will face the Ozarks Lunkers on Saturday, June 29 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
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