His younger siblings included teenagers who needed transportation, school support and guidance, as well as a very young sister who required constant care.
The Associated Press reported that the younger children depended on rides to get to school, while Aleion helped look after the toddler when Smith was away.
There were also the everyday responsibilities that rarely make headlines.
Breakfast.
Homework.
School transportation.
Groceries.
Bills.
Appointments.
Football practice.
College classes.
Household organization.
These ordinary tasks become much more complicated when one person is simultaneously managing the responsibilities of an entire household.
For Smith, they became part of everyday life.
His Younger Siblings Looked Up to Him
The responsibility was enormous, but Smith was not alone emotionally.
His younger siblings repeatedly described him as someone they could depend on.
His 16-year-old brother Armond told Good Morning America that his older brother was always trying to make sure he was moving in the right direction. Another sibling described Smith as a role model who encouraged him academically and athletically.
Those comments reveal why Smith continued pushing forward despite the pressure.
He was not only trying to keep the family financially stable.
He was trying to become a source of guidance for children who had just lost their mother.
That meant becoming the person they could call when they were confused, worried or simply needed someone to talk to.
Football Became Another Responsibility
Smith's football career could easily have been overwhelmed by everything happening at home.
Instead, he continued playing for Michigan State.
The Associated Press reported that Smith's daily schedule included football activities, academic responsibilities and physical therapy for surgically repaired shoulders.
His teammates were aware of the extraordinary circumstances he was dealing with.
Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall told the AP that he could not imagine being in Smith's position and described his teammate as one of the strongest people he had encountered.
For Smith, however, football was more than another obligation.
It was also part of the future he had worked toward.
Giving it up would have meant abandoning years of effort.
Instead, he attempted to maintain both sides of his life.
He would continue pursuing his education and football career while making sure his siblings were cared for.
Support Began to Come From the Community
The Smith family quickly attracted attention from people within the Michigan State community and beyond.
A GoFundMe campaign was established to help the family manage expenses following Gala's death. According to reports from the Associated Press and PEOPLE, the fundraiser eventually attracted significant financial support.
Michigan State also provided support to Smith.
Friends, teammates and members of the broader Spartan community helped the family through an extraordinarily difficult transition.
That support mattered because Smith's responsibilities were not purely emotional.
There were practical expenses.
Transportation was one major problem.
Smith and his siblings had relied on ride-hailing services to get where they needed to go. For someone responsible for several younger children, transportation quickly becomes a major financial burden.
A reliable family vehicle could therefore make an enormous difference.
At the time, Smith was trying to find ways to reduce those costs.
He had no idea that a solution was already on its way.
Then Came Good Morning America
By November 2024, Smith's story had reached national television.
On November 6, he appeared on Good Morning America with his younger brother Armond.
What Smith did not know was that the program had prepared a series of surprises for the family.
ABC News reported that Smith received a $40,000 check from Cash App, an all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland Resort, and a new GMC Acadia from Detroit GMC Dealers.
The moment involving the vehicle was particularly emotional.
Host Michael Strahan took Smith outside and revealed the new car.