Derrell Smith is a former NFL player, former advertising producer and now the creator and CEO of 99EATS, LLC - a virtual culinary brand with a mission to connect people through food, content and experiences.After receiving a full athletic scholarship to play football at Syracuse University, Derrell was a two-time All Big East performer and team captain, earning dual degrees in Information Management and Marketing and an MA in Advertising from the Newhouse School of Public Communications. He then went on to play two years in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans before a career ending neck injury.His career in food began after winning a meatball competition in 2016, and wanting to share them with the world. He then went on to create 99EATS, LLC in his Washington Heights kitchen after being let go from his job in advertising. Since then, 99EATS has partnered with numerous brands including Subway, Tastemade, Disney, Sesame Place, and Bed Bath and Beyond as a brand ambassador and content creator. Amazeballs was created in January 2019 as a vessel for 99EATS to spread love through food, specifically his delicious meatballs. Currently, Amazeballs operates through Fooda, and has stands at Smorgasburg (BK) and Barclays Center through 2020. It’s logo is designed in the likeness of his grandmothers because he wants people to remember how grandmas food made them feel. It’s concept of “Balls loaded with stuff” represents creativity, curiosity and freedom to add one’s own style and flair to a classic, like meatballs. And the “OG Sauce” (Original Grandma Sauce), is his an ode to grandma and the time, trial, wisdom and love that went into her food. These are the feels he wants you to feel when you eat Amazeballs.Derrell currently sits on the young advisory council for the Martin J. Whitman Business School at Syracuse, advises the SU athletics department on alumni relations, is member of the NFLPA alumni association and member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity inc.Derrell is the eldest of seven siblings, and was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He currently resides with his fiancé in Brooklyn, NY.