Ernie Smith

Bio

A legendary tackle under famed Howard Jones of Southern Cal, big Ernie Smith's playing weight was 215 pounds, well-packed on a 6-2 frame. Versatile, as well as destructive in the line, he handled the place-kicking and the kickoffs for USC. He was cited by his coach as a man who always gave his best and rival coach Babe Hollingbery went a step further to say that "Ernie Smith is the best tackle I have ever seen." He played prominent roles in the Trojan Rose Bowl triumphs over Tulane as a junior and against Pittsburgh as a senior. He was a third-team All-America in 1931 and a unanimous selection the next season. While in college, he was a member of the USC marching band as a trombone player. He was assistant football coach at Southern California two years, was a major in the United States Air Force 1940-45, and became an insurance underwriter. He worked with the Boy Scouts, was on the Rose Bowl Committee, an officer of the Southern California Symphony, and president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Football Foundation.

Career Highlights

• 1932 All-West Coast
• 1932 Unanimous All-America
• 1931 All-West Coast
• 1931 Third Team All-America