History of Geno Smith in Timeline

Geno Smith is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. He achieved collegiate success at West Virginia University, where he broke passing records and led the Mountaineers to several bowl games. Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

October 10, 1990: Geno Smith's Birth

On October 10, 1990, Eugene Cyril "Geno" Smith III was born.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Tom Brady's Orange Bowl Record

In 2000, Tom Brady set an Orange Bowl record.

2007: Tied Big East Record

In 2007, Brian Brohm of the Louisville Cardinals set a Big East record.

2007: Brian Brohm's Mark

In 2007, Brian Brohm set a mark.

2007: Named All-Broward County

In 2007, Geno Smith, as a junior at Miramar High School, was named second-team all-Broward County as an athlete and the Mountaineers beat Cincinnati for the first time since 2007.

2007: Mountaineers Beat Cincinnati

In 2007, The Mountaineers beat Cincinnati.

2007: Most Points Scored Since 2007

In 2007, West Virginia scored the most points since playing Connecticut.

2009: Attended West Virginia University

In 2009, Geno Smith began attending West Virginia University, where he played football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

2010: First Start as Quarterback

In 2010, Geno Smith had his first start as quarterback in the season opener against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, completing 20 of 27 passes. He also finished the 2010 season with 196 passing yards.

September 24, 2011: Sets School Records Against LSU

On September 24, 2011, Geno Smith set school records for completions (38), attempts (65), and passing yards (463) in a game against the LSU Tigers.

2012: Continued playing for West Virginia Mountaineers

From 2009 to 2012, Geno Smith played football for the West Virginia Mountaineers at West Virginia University.

2012: Ties Bowl Records in Orange Bowl

In 2012, during West Virginia's rout of the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl, Geno Smith tied three individual bowl records: most touchdown passes (six), most touchdowns overall (seven) and total points (42).

May 22, 2013: Signed with Roc Nation Sports

On May 22, 2013, Geno Smith signed with Roc Nation Sports, with Kimberley Miale serving as his representative.

July 22, 2013: Signed Four-Year Contract with Jets

On July 22, 2013, Geno Smith signed a four-year, $5 million contract with the New York Jets.

August 9, 2013: Professional Debut

On August 9, 2013, Geno Smith made his professional debut in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions. He left the game due to an ankle injury but returned to practice shortly after. He was later named the team's starting quarterback after Sanchez suffered a shoulder injury.

2013: Enters NFL Draft

After the 2012 season, Geno Smith officially announced his decision to enter the 2013 NFL draft.

2013: Drafted by the New York Jets

In 2013, Geno Smith was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the NFL draft after playing college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

October 3, 2014: Fined for Profanity

On October 3, 2014, Geno Smith was fined $12,000 for yelling profanity at fans while walking to the locker room during halftime in Week 4.

2014: Named the Starter

Geno Smith was named the starter to begin the 2014 season. He passed for 221 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the 19–14 season-opening victory over the Raiders.

2014: Perfect Passer Rating

In the regular-season finale against the Dolphins in 2014, Geno Smith led the Jets to victory, completing 20 of 25 passes for a career-high 358 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a perfect passer rating.

July 2015: Marriage to Hayley Eastham

In July 2015, Geno Smith married his college girlfriend, Hayley Eastham.

August 11, 2015: Altercation with IK Enemkpali

On August 11, 2015, Geno Smith was involved in an altercation with defensive end IK Enemkpali in the locker room over an alleged $600 unpaid debt. Smith suffered a fractured jaw after Enemkpali punched him in the face and was ruled out for 6–10 weeks.

2015: Only Appearance

In 2015, Smith only appeared during a Week 8 game.

October 26, 2016: Placed on Injured Reserve

On October 26, 2016, Geno Smith was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL, prematurely ending his 2016 season.

2016: Surpassed Wilson's Record

In 2016, Russell Wilson set the Seahawks’ single-season passing record, which Geno Smith surpassed in a later season.

March 28, 2017: Signed with the Giants

On March 28, 2017, Geno Smith signed with the New York Giants.

November 28, 2017: Named Giants' Starter

On November 28, 2017, Geno Smith was named the starting quarterback for the Giants' upcoming game against the Raiders, ending Eli Manning's 210-game starting streak. This made Smith the first black quarterback to start for the Giants.

2017: Touchdown Since 2017

In 2021, Geno Smith had his first touchdown since 2017.

April 1, 2018: Signed with the Chargers

On April 1, 2018, Geno Smith signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

2018: Appeared in Five Games

Geno Smith appeared in five games in relief roles during the 2018 season for the Los Angeles Chargers.

May 15, 2019: Signed with the Seahawks

On May 15, 2019, Geno Smith signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

July 17, 2019: Birth of Son, Seven Santana Smith

On July 17, 2019, Geno Smith's son, Seven Santana Smith, was born, named in honor of his jersey number.

August 31, 2019: Released by Seahawks

On August 31, 2019, Geno Smith was released by the Seattle Seahawks along with Paxton Lynch, but he was re-signed the next day, earning the backup job.

May 20, 2020: Re-signed with the Seahawks

On May 20, 2020, Geno Smith re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

April 22, 2021: Re-signed with the Seahawks

On April 22, 2021, Geno Smith re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks for a third season.

2021: 2021 Season Performance

In the 2021 season, Geno Smith accumulated 702 passing yards, five touchdowns, and an interception.

April 19, 2022: Re-signed with Seahawks

On April 19, 2022, the Seahawks re-signed Geno Smith, but the NFL disapproved Smith's new contract that same day after conducting the league's mandatory review; the issue was eventually resolved.

August 26, 2022: Named Starting Quarterback

On August 26, 2022, Geno Smith was announced as the starting quarterback for the season opener against the Broncos, after competing against Drew Lock.

December 21, 2022: Selected to Pro Bowl

On December 21, 2022, Geno Smith was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

2022: Resurgence as Seahawks' Starting Quarterback

In 2022, Geno Smith experienced a career resurgence as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, earning his first Pro Bowl selection, achieving his first winning record and playoff berth as a starter, and leading the league in completion percentage. He also won the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022.

2022: Broke Seahawks Record

In 2022, Geno Smith finished the year with 4,283 passing yards, breaking his own Seahawks single-season record. He also broke Seahawks records for single-season passing attempts and completions.

March 14, 2023: Re-signed with the Seahawks

On March 14, 2023, Geno Smith re-signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $75 million deal.

2023: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2023, Geno Smith was ranked 77th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2023: Adoption of Pescatarian Diet

Prior to the 2023 NFL season, Geno Smith told Peter King that he had adopted a pescatarian diet, having abstained from eating chicken or beef for most of the year to date.

2024: Performance in Week 4 and Week 11

In Week 4 of the 2024 season, Geno Smith passed for 395 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the loss to the Detroit Lions. In Week 11 of 2024, Smith led the Seahawks on an 11-play, 80-yard drive, capped off with a 13-yard touchdown run to win against the 49ers.