TOWSON, Md. – Tye Smith and
Jordan Dangerfield high-fived, clapped, and snapped photos while standing on the Towson University football sideline as daylight disappeared and darkness descended last Saturday.
The former Towson standouts and current NFL players were elated to be home.
Immediately after checking into his hotel, Dangerfield, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, had one destination in mind. A member of the Tennessee Titans, Smith traveled from Nashville Saturday morning focused on one landmark.
Both were headed to Johnny Unitas Stadium.
They were present during the entire second half as Towson's rally from an 18-point deficit fell short to Maine, 35-28 in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) football contest. Dangerfield enjoyed a perfect weekend home by helping the Steelers defeat the Ravens 23-16 the next day at M&T Bank Stadium.
"I had to be here," said a smiling Dangerfield, who was wearing a white zip-up hoodie, gray sweatpants and white sneakers. "I don't get a lot of chances to come back and see games so when the opportunity presented itself, I made sure to do everything possible to be here. Being here on homecoming only adds to the excitement. This is truly special to be back here."
With clouds of fragrant barbeque smoke and the succulent smells of chicken, burgers and sausages perfuming the air, Dangerfield and Smith had to be part of the memorable homecoming festivities. Generations of Towson alums shared stories.
"It's a sweet feeling to come back home where it all started," Smith said. "It's fun to see the guys I played with. It's also good to be around the guys that are playing now and see them doing well. We know what they are going through because we had the same coach, played and practiced on the same field. It was real important to be here. We all bleed Black-and-Gold."
Dangerfield and Smith are part of the tapestry of excellence weaved throughout the 50-year history of Towson football.
In addition to conquering adversity, Dangerfield and Smith share another unique bond aside from playing under current Towson head football coach
Rob Ambrose. They both played critical roles and made key plays that helped their teams beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. They also had their seasons ended by the New England Patriots.
Dangerfield made sure that Smith's recruiting visit was unforgettable.
"He's one of the main reasons why I came here," said Smith pointing to Dangerfield, who was standing about 10 yards from him. "He was my host. We're like brothers. Even though I do have a brother, he's like an extra brother. When coaches say you won't remember all your plays, but you'll remember the guys you played with, that's really important. We're all brothers. Even when football is done, we're still all connected."
Smith was a member of the Tigers' 2013 team that advanced to the FCS National Championship game. Members of that special squad were honored against Maine. Dangerfield, who played his freshman season of college at Hofstra, ended his Towson career with 258 tackles in 31 games from 2010-12. Now he's a member of one of the iconic franchises in all of professional sports.
The foundation of mental fortitude was laid at Towson. It has served both men well as they have endured the brutal cruelty and reality of NFL cuts. Despite being released and enduring a myriad of obstacles, they have been resilient and persistent, never doubting their goals would come to fruition.
"I just continued believing," Dangerfield said. "I always knew I was good enough to play in the NFL. I understand the other side so that's why I continue to work hard everyday. Towson helped me with a lot of the foundation and made me understand that there's a purpose in everything we do even though we may not see it right away."
A fifth-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2015, Smith, who is currently on injured reserved after tearing his pectoral muscle in training camp, started the Titans' final four games last season, including both postseason games against the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots.
Meanwhile, Dangerfield was signed by the Buffalo Bills in April 2013 as an undrafted free agent but was cut four months later without seeing game action. He signed a reserve contract with the Steelers in January of the following year but was released in August. He's been released and re-signed by the Steelers so many times that he's lost count.
Dangerfield's faith never fractured.
Dangerfield played in 14 games in 2016, including the Steelers' two postseason wins against the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. He didn't play in 2017 due to an injury but has played in all seven games this season, mostly on special teams as a four-phase special teams player, meaning he's on the kickoff, punt, punt return and kickoff return units.
The lessons learned at Towson is always a part of them wherever the pair travel. It's provided them the slight edge.
"I know that something purposeful is always coming out of a struggle," said Smith, who returned to Towson to earn his degree in 2016. "A struggle is not really a setback. It's something that's setting you up for things that are coming. I believe that Towson instilled that in me as well as how my parents raised me. Even now, I am rehabbing, working out and keeping mental game strong by watching film. I am around the guys at the facility watching how they play and just trying to get better in any way I can."
