Palmetto's Chris Smith signs with St. Louis Rams

Never Give Up. Don’t ever give up.

No words ring more true for defensive back Chris Smith, whose life has taken a 360 degree turn in the last week.

The Palmetto High product signed a contract with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday and is at their facility waiting for training camp to open on Saturday.

Last week Smith came home from Omaha, Nebraska after the United Football League closed operations. He was with the Omaha Nighthawks and figured big in their plans to play cornerback and return kicks.

Less than a week later, Smith got a call from the Rams, offering him a free agent contract and invited him to their camp. It was a surprise because the two teams that previously showed him the most interest were the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets.

“My agent had never heard anything from St. Louis. I wasn’t expecting an offer from them,” Smith said. “But now that I am here I want to take advantage of this opportunity and do my best to earn a spot on the team. We will see what happens.”

UFL shutdown sends Chris Smith home, but could lead to NFL

Its’ been a whirlwind kind of week for Chris Smith.

The Palmetto High graduate arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, last Wednesday to begin training camp for the United Football League Nighthawks.

Today he is heading home. Oh no. He didn’t get cut. In fact the Nighthawks are counting heavily on the defensive back, who finished up his career at Northern Illinois last season earning first team Mid-American Conference honors.

All five of the league teams were ordered to shut down camps until August and delay the season opener until September.

“I got here a week ago and have basically been going to meetings and going over the playbook,” Smith said. “They told us yesterday (Tuesday) that they were closing down camp and now I am just waiting for a plane ticket home. We’ve heard the camp opening is going to be delayed about a month.”

Though he wants to play football, the delay could bring some good fortune to Smith. He is hoping it will open some doors to some NFL teams.

“My agent told me that some teams called about me, mainly the Rams and the 49ers. I don’t know if this will turn out to be a better opportunity. We will see,” Smith said.

The move to close camps was made for various reasons, UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue said. The UFL wants to improve its financial situation and accommodate some UFL players who want to give the NFL a chance now that the lockout appears to be close to ending.