Football throwback
Another weekend in January. Another game for Paul Smith.
This has been a busy month for the Tulsa quarterback. After leading the Golden Hurricane to a GMAC Bowl victory, Smith jetted out about two hours after the game, bound for Hawaii and the Hula Bowl. He returned to Tulsa after that senior-showcase game, and a few hours later, he was off again, this time for Houston. Smith will play there in the East-West Shrine game on Saturday.
College football could have no better ambassador.
Sure, Smith is now focused on NFL aspirations and dreams. But the truth is, Smith embodies what’s good about college football. He genuinely seems to have enjoyed the experience, the camaraderie, the campus lifestyle. Frankly, he’s a throwback.
I had a chance to talk to him last week before the Hula Bowl, and here are a few of his comments from our conversation:
About the GMAC Bowl: “Couldn’t draw it up much better. To end it the way we did, you couldn’t have really planned it any better or written it any better in a book. I did as much as I could to soak it in.”
About his emotions playing his final college game: “It was bittersweet for sure. My situation’s been so perfect. I’d love to come back and play some more.”
No matter what happens with Smith in the NFL Draft and beyond, his college legacy will remain. He enjoyed the game, relished the experience and soaked in the life. College football could stand a few more players like Paul Smith.
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Good write-up. Paul Smith epitomizes everything good about college football.