Which NFL Coach is the Son of a Billionaire?

By Arslan Saleem August 12, 2024 07:47

Photo by Seth Wenig/AP

Regarding pro sports, the marriage between riches and abilities can put people on different sides of a conversation regarding privilege, opportunity, and how they come by their dreams. In a rare NFL example, Arthur Smith, head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, works this dynamic to his benefit. The son of FedEx founder and CEO Frederick W. Smith, Arthur's path to the NFL is littered with obstacles created by his family millions but softened just a bit thanks to traditional parental guidance on how he needed to separate himself from them to claim an unencumbered identity.

Background of Arthur Smith

Smith was born into an extremely American Success Story family. Arthur is the son of billionaire businessman Frederick W. Smith. In 1971, Frederick Smith created FedEx (Federal Express today), a logistics and delivery giant that transformed the industry.

Arthur Smith insisted he would not let the golden ticket of draft night define his success in American football. He went to Georgetown Prep, an exclusive high school in Maryland; he was humble and hardworking, with traits that would follow him into coaching. An unaccomplished college athlete in his native North Carolina, he rarely played football after high school despite committing to the University of North Carolina and suffering a series of injuries that severely limited how often he took the field. That almost precise experience would become the foundation of his coaching philosophy, which eventually capitalized on resilience and perseverance.

Family Wealth and Influence

Arthur Smith's wealthy family upbringing undeniably opened doors and avenues not available to most would-be coaches. But he has also been known to talk candidly about the burden of being a billionaire scion. He asked to be judged on his own merits in interviews instead of being described only as the "son of Frederick Smith" "Any time we were compared to him, I always brushed it off because I never felt like anything that my dad did resonate with me," Smith said of his efforts not to be tied directly back to the sins of his father.

The reality is his family's wealth afforded him entry into some of the finest educational institutions, not to mention connections within and around sports. But Smith always made it a point to downplay growing up rich: He wanted success on merit alone. It's a refrain that runs through his story, this urge to distance himself from the trappings of having been born under their father. He said having a generic last name like Smith instead of something unique to his well-known family "has allowed me the freedom and independence not to be associated with whatever they're doing."

Hurdles and Roadblocks

The background with which Arthur Smith is tasked has afforded some advantages as a first-timer, but it also presents unique challenges. He bears the weight of expectations from his affluent family. Some people take for granted that he lived a privileged life, but Smith has worked hard to prove he is not just the son of some billionaire. He has often remarked on the humility and hard work values instilled in him by his family.

Smith has taken a path of maneuvering Chess-like through the NFL coaching minefield, where positions are hard to come by and often short-lived due to great competition in each instance. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in North Carolina before entering the NFL in various capacities with the Washington Football Team, now the Commanders, and later served as offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.

Coaching Style and Accomplishments

Smith has been a shot in the arm for players such as quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry throughout his time with the Tennessee Titans. His innovative offensive tactics and prowess at unlocking the skillset of his talent caught on with the Falcons, landing him as head coach in 2021. During his tenure as the head coach, the Falcons have shown improvement and are trying to assemble a competitive team that can challenge for supremacy in their division of the NFC South.

With the NFL ever evolving, how Smith can evolve and innovate will be key. Those experiences and that upbringing make him perhaps uniquely qualified to provide a player's perspective on the business of football.

How Arthur Smith went from billionaire's son to the Atlanta Falcons head coach is a fascinating story that dovetails with privilege, blue-collar ethic, and raw ambition. While his family is wealthy, it most assuredly has impacted Smith's opportunities with him.

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