As the team for which the original Steve Smith plays prepares to play the team for which the new Steve Smith plays, the original Steve Smith drops an interesting nugget.
In an interview with Michael Eisen of Giants.com, Carolina’s Steve Smith predictably is asked questions about New York’s Steve Smith.
“Actually my real name isn’t Steve Smith,” the player whose real name isn’t Steve Smith said. “That is the name I go by -- that is the name by dad has and people called me that since I was a little boy. But my mom and my wife, all my family, call me by my birth name -- that is really what I go by outside of football.”
But he wouldn’t say what his real name is. “You have to talk to my mommy on that one,” he said. “I only really give it to my friends; I don’t give it to strangers. You learn that at a young age.”
Per NFLPA records, Smith’s first name is listed as “Stevonne.” But his last name is listed as Smith.
It would be wild if his last name was actually “Ochocinco.”
And thanks to the reader who pointed out the interview for us.
His name also isn’t Steve Smith.