ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KCTV) – Trey Smith has barely had time to let the ink dry on his new four-year contract that makes him the highest-paid guard in all of football.

Tuesday, an emotional Smith told reporters at training camp in St. Joseph the motivation he’s carried with him for the last 11 years.

“I lost my mom when I was 15,” he said. “I made two promises to her: that I would get my degree and play in the NFL. I didn’t promise her I’d be the highest paid, but I made a promise, man.”

Smith fulfilled both of those promises. He earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation and sports management in December 2020 from the University of Tennessee.

Last week, the 26-year-old signed a four-year deal with Kansas City reportedly worth $94 million with $70 million guaranteed.

“My parents sacrificed so much for me to be here. So much,” Smith said. “To have that moment with them, it’s special, bro. It’s special. And it’s something I won’t take for granted.”

Smith is now a veteran on the team and has taken on a larger leadership role as the Chiefs kick off three and a half weeks of training camp.

“St. Joe is one of the hardest training camps in the NFL,” he said. “It’s going to be miserable every single day. Just get used to it man! At the end of the day, you just have to keep fighting. You have to keep swinging, day after day after day, and just keep stacking.

“When the season comes around, you’re ready.”