All-star CFL receiver Waddell Smith passed away last week at the age of 70, the Edmonton Elks revealed on Friday.
A native of New Orleans, Smith was drafted in the eighth round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs but began his career in Edmonton, where he would go on to play seven seasons. Despite playing alongside Hall of Famers like George McGowan, Tommy Scott, and Brian Kelly, he became an essential part of the franchise’s five-in-a-row Grey Cup dynasty.
The Kansas product’s best season came in 1979 when he caught 74 passes for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning a CFL all-star selection and the West Division nomination for Most Outstanding Player. In 93 career games, he recorded 342 receptions for 5,517 yards and 51 majors, while also throwing for two scores and rushing for another.
Smith left the CFL in 1984 for a shot with the Dallas Cowboys. He would play two games for America’s team before retiring and settling down in the city, where he lived until his death.
