Rodney Smith Feature
6/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Robert Vasquez
When Rodney Smith started playing football back when he was just old enough to play in the peewee leagues, his mom did not approve at first. Like many mothers, she felt that he was going to be hurt.
Here Smith learned his first lesson about coaching. It does not just take place on the field, it also includes being a role model to the players and to the parents. A coach carries more than just a playbook.
Another early lesson he learned about football was to never give up. If you have a dream, do not let people keep you from going after it. Everyone should have a dream.
Smith played tailback in the peewee leagues and was not very good. He says that the coaches used to talk bad about him, but this only made him more determined. The most important lesson he learned is that you have to be coachable and don't think you know everything. It is something that has stuck with him since his days of playing for the Elks and Southern peewee football.
His early coaches must have taught him well because as a player at University High School he was heavily recruited. Only a coachable football player can go from talked about tailback to starting linebacker for a Division I University.
Smith chose Baylor University because he wanted to stay close to home. He felt he needed to be near his six brothers and one sister. Even though he does not have much time to spend with them because of his busy schedule (football and classes) they know he is here. They know that they can count on him to make time when they need him.
One of the messages Smith tries to bring to the younger generation is, "Stay in school and listen to your elders. They have been there and they only want the best for you."
He encourages young people to chase their dream, whether it is in sports or something else.
One of the most influential people in Rodney Smith's life was his uncle, Chris Brown. Brown was a great football player at University High School. He was big part of Rodney's life until he passed away about a year ago.
Most of Smith's time growing up in Waco was spent at the Louis Gonzales Boys Club. He played many basketball games there and some of the best warball games ever. He really hates that the club is closed now.
That was a place a kid always knew he could go to. Rodney says, "Most of the time I was either there, going there, or leaving there."
One of the reasons he wants to make it to the NFL is to be able to give back to the community. He thinks there should be more places like the Boys Club for kids to enjoy.
His most important role is being a big brother. It is important to him that his brothers and sister have someone that they can look up to. With brothers in football (peewee and high school) and basketball soon to come, the Smiths are a very busy family. Rodney strives to be a good role model for not only his own family but also to other kids. He enjoys being able to play football at home.
It would have probably been much easier for him had he gone to play for some of the winning programs that tried to recruit him. It is harder to play at home where everyone knows you and their expectations are a lot higher. In Texas, high school football is almost a religion. People in Waco care more about what their head coaches are doing than what their political representatives are doing, and we can all vote for them. When was the last time you questioned our congressman about a decision he made?
When asked what he would tell a football player who was thinking of coming to Baylor, Smith replied, "I would tell him that we are turning it around. We are playing hard and giving everything we've got on each and every down."
Comparing himself as a player today to the way he was a year ago, Rodney feels like he is much improved. He now wants to be the big play man and he feels he is getting better every day. Changing to linebacker from safety was tough, but Rodney held to his belief that you have to be coachable. He knows that with his family watching him, as well as the rest of his team mates, he has to do his best at all times.
Rodney is used to changes on the field. He started his football career as tailback, moved to quarterback, then free safety, and now linebacker.
Jose Bonilla a former teammate at University High School remembers him as a good offensive and defensive player. " I remember a game when Rodney hit a running back so hard, every time he had to carry the ball his way he would just run out of bounds or fall down. He just did not want to get hit that hard again." Bonilla says he was not surprised to see Smith moved to linebacker.
Rodney says Baylor needs to have fan support to help the team be successful. It means a great deal to the players to have 35- 40,000 screaming fans. He would like to see 50,000 fill Floyd Casey Stadium before he leaves.
He says, "You know when you take the field you have to be at your best. There is no feeling like it, coming out of that tunnel and knowing you have that fan support."
Smith wants everyone to know that the Bears' defense is staying focused on getting off the field after the third down and that it's a team effort, which includes the fans.
Smith said he feels a renewed sense of pride playing for the Bears. When Smith puts on his BU helmet it means that he is part of team. Every one is trying hard. He is not the only one who wants to make the play. No matter if it is a special team, rotating player or starter, everyone wants to contribute at the highest level.
Rodney's goal is to make the NFL and later to become a coach. "Maybe I will even teach a little History." What does he want people to know about him? "I am a good role model, nice guy, nice looking, and a good listener. You can always come to me to talk."
According to Coach Leroy Coleman at University High School, "Rodney was a very coachable young man, he has that quiet leadership quality we knew we could always count on him. He was an extra coach."
Coleman adds that Smith is very close to his family and still comes by to check on his brothers. He is concerned how they are doing in school and socially. He is a good role model for them all. There is no doubt that he loves his mother and family.
"Rodney has all the attributes that you look for in a good coach and has the athletic capabilities to reach his goals of the NFL," commented Erick Smith, an older cousin. Erick says Rodney is very competitive, mild mannered, with a great sense of humor and very dedicated to his family. He does the little extras for the fans community. The message he delivers to the younger generation is to strive for more and not to just settle for second best. One of the things Erick admires the most about Rodney is that he does not forget this is home.
"Smitty carries many of our hopes and dreams on his shoulders. We all know he could have went and played anywhere in the country, football or basketball, but he chose to stay right here. That is why he is a Hometown Hero. When he makes it we all sorta make it."
In 1994, as a two sport all-star at University High, he was heavily recruited in both football and basketball. He completed 74 0f 159 passes for 1,270 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 941 yards and 16 touchdowns. He led University to their best record ever at that time, 10-2. He had 7 interceptions as a safety, was district MVP and one of Waco Tribune Herald's top 30.
1995 was his redshirt year at Baylor, and he spent the season as scout team safety. In 1996, he was a back-up free safety, playing in only five games. Smith also played basketball that year, starting 19 games, averaging 26 minutes and 6.3 points per game.
In 1997, Smith's sophomore year at Baylor, he played every game. He led the team in tackles with 109, 70 unassisted. He received defensive player of the game honors for his 19 tackles, 12 unassisted, against Michigan.
In 1999 Rodney had many of the team's defensive highlights. He tipped a pass just out of the OU quarterback's hand which Clifton Rubin intercepted and returned for an 18-yard touchdown. He had 10 tackles, eight solo and one for a loss, in that game and had nine tackles, including eight solo and one for a loss, against K-State. He led Baylor with 14 tackles, 11 solo, at Notre Dame.
He started the scoring at Texas by stepping in front of a pass and returning it 39 yards down the left sideline for a 7-0 BU lead, his third career interception, second of the season and first collegiate score. Also caused a Ricky Williams fumble in the game and made 10 tackles(seven solo).
He made 10 tackles, eight solo, against Texas A&M and made 12 tackles (nine solo), one behind the line and one for a two- yard sack, caused a fumble and broke up two passes against Kansas. He made his first interception of this season at Texas Tech (returned it 10 yards) to go with 11 tackles (eight solo). Made 11 tackles (nine solo) and broke up two passes against NC State. He had 10 tackles and forced a fumble against Oregon State.
But ask this outstanding young athlete what he thinks about the most and he answers, "Family, friends, and good soul food are always on my mind."
