MISSOULA — Jaxon Lee experienced a stroke of luck during his junior season.
The Montana safety snagged an interception against Northern Colorado and sprinted down the home sideline into the north end zone for a touchdown. He later recovered a fumble and powered through the snow for another touchdown against Delaware in the playoffs, again in that same corner of the end zone.
Those were Lee’s only college touchdowns, and both times he got to run right past his grandfather, Pete Smith, who was sitting in the front row of a nearby section. After each play, Lee took a moment to connect with his grandfather on the Griz sideline.
“Coming back to the sideline and being able to grab his hand right there is monumental,” Lee shared ahead of Montana’s game against Weber State at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
“It means everything to me because it makes him emotional. That’s the essence of our relationship. We’ve always looked forward to these moments, and it’s really special that they’re happening now.”
Smith has been instrumental in helping Lee, a senior from Philipsburg, become a first-year starter for Montana. They shared a passion for the Griz, often attending home games with Lee’s uncle, Chris Smith.
Decades later, they sat in those same seats where Lee celebrated with his grandfather. As a child, Lee would wear the No. 34 jersey of his favorite player, Chase Reynolds, another small-town hero from nearby Drummond, and paint a black Grizzly paw on his face.
These cherished experiences with his grandfather laid the groundwork for Lee’s journey.
“He’s had the biggest impact on me,” Lee said. “I spent so much time with him, going to games together. He loved it just as much, and we formed a strong bond.”
Smith, Lee’s maternal grandfather, has roots in Anaconda, where Lee’s mother grew up before moving after meeting Lee’s Ohio-born father, who discovered a love for Montana during a hunting trip.
Having spent his early childhood in Belgrade, Lee grew up in Bobcats territory, surrounded by many friends who supported Montana State. Smith ensured that Lee remained loyal to the Griz.
At his grandfather’s house, they would watch highlights and replays of the Griz’s national championship victories in 1995 and 2001. Now, Lee is part of the team’s pursuit of a championship, with his grandfather cheering him on.
“When my parents were away, it was always, ‘You’re going to Grandpa’s,'” Lee recalled. “I was excited to hang out with him and watch football together. Our whole relationship revolves around the game.”
Lee started attending games around the same time he began playing football. He admired Reynolds and Marc Mariani, another small-town player from Havre who became an All-American. He dreamed of playing on that same field one day.
Lee rose through the small-town football ranks, playing for the Drummond-Philipsburg co-op team and leading them to back-to-back state championships in his sophomore and junior years in 2017 and 2018, catching the attention of NCAA Division I recruiters.
Playing at Wa-Griz was a lifelong dream for Lee since childhood.
“I always told him that playing here was my dream,” Lee reminisced. “My Uncle Charlie would be there too, yelling at the refs. I was just 6 years old, joining in and having a blast.”
Montana wasn’t the first school to recruit him; that honor went to rival Montana State after his junior season. The Bobcats were pursuing him hard, and Lee thought he might end up in Bozeman.
He informed then-UM offensive coordinator Timm Rosenbach about Montana State’s offer. The Griz invited him to campus, and after meeting with running backs coach Justin Green, Lee committed by the end of the month.
When Lee called to share his commitment with his grandfather, he didn’t reveal the school’s name right away.
“I knew he’d be so upset if I had to wear a Cat jersey,” Lee said. “So when I told him I’d committed, he asked, ‘To who?’ and I said, ‘No, I committed to the Grizzlies.’ He was overjoyed. It was a big moment for both of us.”
Early on, Lee didn’t play much defense during his first three years with the Griz. He started as an offensive player but switched to defense, contributing on special teams in his early seasons.
Adapting to college football was a challenge for Lee. After years of playing 8-Man football while traveling between Philipsburg and Drummond, he played 11-Man football in his senior year at Missoula Sentinel, but only on offense. Transitioning to defense at UM marked his first experience on that side of the ball in 11-Man.
He appeared in all 15 games on defense as a junior and started once. This season, he has started in all five games. Through all the challenges, his grandfather has been his biggest supporter.
“He tells me to keep my head up, to stay true to myself, and that I’m his favorite player even if I never see the field,” Lee said. “That’s just who he is. He knows my dream is to play for the Grizzlies, and he’ll support me no matter what.”
Smith is back in the stands again this year, cheering for his grandson. Lee still searches for him in those familiar seats.
Whether he scores touchdowns or makes plays for their beloved team, he knows his biggest fan is right there with him.
“It means the world to me,” he said. “I’m grateful he’s still around. Grandparents age, and I’m in college now, so I’m thankful to have him by my side. It would feel different without him.”
Leave a Reply