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Saginaw Sting Player Spotlight Ernie Smith - DB #2

02.01.09 - by Ben Murphy

The last time he was seen on the field for the Saginaw Sting, Ernie “E-Ready” Smith was making one of the biggest plays of the season. With 12 seconds left in the 2008 Continental Indoor Football League's championship game, Smith picked off Kalamazoo Xplosion quarterback Randy Hutchinson's pass to seal the victory for the Sting.

It was Smith's second interception in the game, both coming after he got beat for a score in the opening minutes of the contest. Smith credits his positive attitude for allowing him to come back strong after giving up the score.

“It's how you bounce back,” he said. “Some guys get down on themselves while I look at it as another play. I just put it behind me and as luck would have it I've been in the right spot to make plays for the team.”

The defensive back has been making big plays in pro leagues since 2001, when he began his semi-pro life with the Detroit Downriver Diesels. After playing with the Diesels again in 2002, he made a highlight tape, which enabled him to be signed by the Fort Wayne Freedom.
Since the Diesels played their games outdoors, playing for the Freedom was Smith's first opportunity to play football in an arena.

“I'm tailor made for this game,” he said. “I can play outdoor ball too. But being inside, it helps my speed.”

After another season with the Freedom, Smith moved on to play for the Dayton Warbirds of the National Indoor Football League in 2005. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons he played for the CIFL's Port Huron Pirates. The Pirates won the league championship in 06, but came up short to the Rochester Raiders the following year. After the season ending loss, Smith believed his playing days were over.

“I thought I was done,” he said. “I had said I was going to retire and spend more time with the kids.” However, Sting head coach Karl Featherstone, who was looking to sign another defensive back gave Smith a call.

Featherstone, who coached Smith while the two were with the Pirates during the team's two year stint convinced him to get back into the game and join the Sting. Smith joined Saginaw in time for their April 30 win over the Milwaukee Bonecrushers, and was a big reason for their success during the championship run.

“I guess I have that Brett Favre syndrome,” Smith said. “I just cant' stay away.” While the Sting have moved to the Indoor Football League for the 2009 season, Smith believes Saginaw will be able to contend in this league as well.

“We have the majority of the guys coming back and some new faces coming in,” he said. “I'm excited to get in there and mix it up with the new guys and get back with the old and see if we can get another title.”

The newly formed IFL, which was created mostly by taking 19 teams from other leagues is expected to be more competitive than the CIFL.

“It's going to be tough to get wins,” Smith said. “There aren't going to be any blowouts. But with coach Featherstone and his hard work ethic we should be alright.”

Smith, who works at a medical supply company and coaches his son's youth football in Westland during the off-season, enjoys being a crowd favorite in Saginaw.

“I get the crowd excited,” he said. “I enjoy seeing the kids being there. I like putting on a show.”
And what about the nickname, “E-Ready?” It was given to him by a former teammate, while playing with the Freedom. “E” is for his first name, while “Ready” is what he describes as a noun, meaning everything that is good.

“Everybody is going to know me as E-Ready,” he said. “How you look, how you talk, how you act, is ready. Just stay ready, we're coming.”