According to The Associated Press, Smith, who is a 21-year-old defensive back at Michigan State, has become the legal guardian of his four siblings after the death of their mother. Besides playing football at school, he also studies criminal justice while caring for his younger siblings.

Football player Armorion Smith plays for the Michigan State Spartans while also helping to take care of his younger siblings after the recent death of their mother.

Armorion Smith pressed his palms together over the bridge of his nose and leaned against the kitchen sink in a home he shares with five younger siblings. The Michigan State

A Michigan State University football player is the legal guardian of four younger siblings following the recent death of their mother (AP video: Mike Householder and Larry Lage)

Michigan State University football player Armorion Smith has answered the call for his family after the tragic death of his mother. Smith, 21, became the legal guardian of four of his younger siblings following the passing of his mother,

Armorion Smith's mother died in August and without a father in his family’s life, he became head of the household while studying and playing college football.

Michigan State's Armorion Smith was born and raised in Detroit and initially went to Cincinnati for school -- but needed to come home to care for his mom and his siblings.