Geno Smith faces confrontation at youth football game

With training camp a month away for the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Geno Smith’s off-field exploits have recently found their way into the news cycle.

Smith has used the break between minicamp and training camp to place his focus on coaching the South Florida Express, a seven-on-seven youth football team. This weekend, the Express emerged victorious over Raw Miami 38-21 at a local high school. The game, airing on NFL Network, featured some of the top recruits in the nation, including LSU five-star wide receiver commit Tristen Keys and 2027 four-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant.

Despite the talent on display on the field, what Smith did off of it was why the game made headlines.

Smith got into a verbal altercation with fans after his team’s victory.

After the Express’ victory, Smith was seen shouting at fans, with security having to step in to prevent any further escalation.

“That’s why they pay me the big bucks, that’s why I get paid the big bucks. That’s why they bring the big bucks to me, that’s why they pay me the big bucks,” Smith shouted in the fiery exchange.

It is unclear what the fans said during the game that got underneath Smith’s skin, but it is clear that the quarterback felt the need to make his opinion known.

Smith certainly got paid the big bucks this offseason, signing a two-year, $75 million contract extension shortly after joining the Raiders. Now in a division featuring elite quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith will be tasked with ensuring that the Raiders keep pace with their rivals. The team has invested plenty in fixing their offense this offseason, with Smith being counted on as the engine to take it to the next level.

Hopefully, the competitiveness he showed on the sidelines as a coach translates to the Raiders turning the page as a team.