 Smith signed with the Lions, left the Hornets, and appeared in all 12 games with the Lions during the 1949 season.In his first NFL season, he ranked among the league leaders with nine interceptions (fourth) and 218 interception return yards (third).On Thanksgiving Day 1949, he set an NFL record with a 102-yard return after intercepting a Sid Luckman pass in the end zone during a 28-7 loss to the Chicago Bears.