O.J. Simpson trial judge wishes Falcons' Ito Smith 'long and healthy career'

Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Ito Smith has gained a new fan in Lance Ito, the judge who famously presided over the O.J. Simpson murder trial in the 1990s.

Smith, whose given first name is Romarius, told ESPN's Vaughn McClure he earned the nickname Ito after his cousin Brittney Smith, who was 4 years old at the time, proclaimed, "That little baby looks just like the judge off TV" in the hospital room.

"I guess she had been watching the trial with her grandmother," Smith said. "And everybody in the family has been calling me Ito ever since."

Judge Ito, now retired, was unaware of the connection. Although he's a lifelong Los Angeles Rams fan, he said he'll be rooting for the rookie.

"I was unaware of the existence of a pro football prospect by the name of 'Ito' Smith," the judge said. "Having looked him up and discovering he is a handsome and talented fellow, certainly not a bad thing. Pro football is a tough business, and I wish him a long and healthy career."