J’mar Smith had a steady routine this spring, waking up early in his Birmingham, Alabama apartment and heading to his hometown Dunkin’ to start most days at 5 a.m., brewing coffee, serving doughnuts, and chatting with customers. The former USFL Championship-winning quarterback with the Birmingham Stallions, who retired from the league in March, was unexpectedly called back less than two months later due to a rash of injuries among the team’s quarterbacks. With no healthy quarterbacks remaining, Smith stepped into the starting role and helped lead the Stallions to a 3-1 finish in the regular season. His first game back is set for Sunday, when Birmingham faces the Michigan Panthers in the UFL playoffs.
After leading the Stallions to the 2022 USFL title, Smith’s career took an unexpected turn as he missed almost all of 2023 because of a torn ligament in his right hand and came back as a backup in 2024. Smith revealed to ESPN that as the new season approached, he struggled mentally with the prospect of playing as a backup again. He recounted a moment during a long drive to UFL training camp when he realized continuing as a backup was not satisfying him mentally, and he ultimately decided to head back home.
Coach Skip Holtz praised Smith for his energy and leadership off the field during the 2024 season, even though Smith did not take the field much. Smith explained that he applied for multiple jobs after deciding to step away from football, eventually accepting a position at Dunkin’ for early morning shifts and management training. Despite this, he kept training hard with quarterback coach Demetric Price, who noticed Smith’s determination to return to the game even as doubts lingered.
Injuries hit the Stallions’ quarterback lineup hard, paving the way for Smith’s return. After signing a short-term deal, he joined the team as a third-string quarterback and quickly moved into the starting role due to ongoing injuries. Smith’s comeback included notable performances, finishing the season with 758 passing yards and an additional 90 rushing yards across three starts, providing much-needed stability for Birmingham’s championship defense.
Holtz, who recruited Smith to Louisiana Tech in 2015, highlighted Smith’s powerful arm and progress in controlling his throws. Smith’s offensive scheme familiarity helped him quickly adapt upon returning. Wide receiver Deon Cain, a key player for the Stallions, praised Smith’s leadership and chemistry with the team since rejoining. Holtz expressed admiration for Smith’s resilience after being away from pro football for over two years and noted his unwavering work ethic and determination to keep chasing his dream.
Smith remains pragmatic about his future in football, as he has trained with the New England Patriots and the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats before settling with Birmingham. At minimum, he plans to pursue graduate school and Dunkin’s management program. Still, he is hopeful for more playing opportunities, expressing a strong desire to continue competing at this level.
Fan Take: J’mar Smith’s remarkable return underscores the unpredictable journeys athletes can face and highlights the importance of perseverance in professional football. For NFL fans, his story showcases how talent and determination can revive a career, potentially inspiring the league’s teams to reconsider how they value experienced quarterbacks emerging from alternative leagues.
