Remembering Fred Smith: Visionary Leader, Steelers OC Arthur Smith’s Father, Dies at 80
Fred Smith, the revolutionary founder of FedEx and father of Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, passed away at the age of 80 on Saturday night, the company announced. Smith’s death marks the end of an era for global logistics and a profound loss for the city of Memphis and the business world.
Smith was widely regarded as a transformative figure whose innovative vision fundamentally changed how goods are transported worldwide.
A Titan of Industry: The FedEx Legacy
A Marine veteran who served for several years before entering the aviation business, Fred Smith graduated from Yale University in 1966. It was his bold idea for an overnight delivery service that led to the founding of Federal Express (later FedEx) in 1973 in Memphis, Tennessee. Starting initially with small parcels, the company grew exponentially under his leadership, pioneering the hub-and-spoke system that revolutionized package delivery.
Smith famously used the last $5,000 in his bank account to save the struggling startup in its early days, a testament to his unwavering determination. His business model placed a new emphasis on time-sensitive deliveries, altering operations for countless American businesses. Today, FedEx is a global powerhouse, handling an average of 15 to 17 million shipments daily.
Smith stepped down as FedEx CEO in June 2022 at age 77, transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman. Raj Subramaniam succeeded him as CEO. Upon his retirement from the CEO role, Smith stated that FedEx had “changed the world by connecting people and possibilities.”
Ties to the Gridiron: Connecting Business and Football
Beyond his monumental business achievements, Fred Smith also had significant ties to the world of professional sports. He was a minority owner of the Washington Commanders NFL team (formerly the Redskins) from 2003 until the team’s full sale in 2021.
This connection played a role in his son Arthur Smith’s entry into the NFL coaching ranks. Arthur began his career in 2007 as a defensive quality control assistant for Washington during his father’s ownership tenure. Arthur Smith has acknowledged how family connections initially helped him get a foot in the door. However, he also spoke about his realization that he “had to get away” from those connections to legitimately advance his career.
Arthur Smith built his own path in the NFL over more than a decade, including various roles with the Tennessee Titans (where he became offensive coordinator from 2019-2020), serving as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2023, and most recently being hired as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. His father’s passing holds particular significance for the Pittsburgh sports community due to Arthur’s current role.
A Legacy of Innovation and Service
Tributes poured in following news of Smith’s death, highlighting his profound impact. Civic leaders like former and current Memphis mayors Jim Strickland and Paul Young lauded him as perhaps the city’s “most important citizen,” whose company became an “engine of our economy” and enabled generations to achieve the American dream. United States Senator Marsha Blackburn praised his leadership, innovation, patriotism, and commitment to service. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff described him as a “gentle, kind, and brilliant giant of business” who led with core values rooted in his Marine background.
Smith was also noted for his philanthropy, particularly supporting the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and contributing to institutions important to Memphis, such as the University of Memphis and the city zoo.
A native of Marks, Mississippi, who primarily resided in Memphis, Fred Smith is survived by his wife, Diane Smith, and eight children. He leaves behind a legacy that reshaped global commerce and transportation, influenced the lives of countless employees, and had a unique connection to the world of football through his son, Arthur.
