<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><a href="http://theava.com/archives/55228">http://theava.com/archives/55228</a><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><h1 class="entry-title"> The Aftermath Of Glory </h1><p><b>by Sheila Dawn Tracy and Bob Lane</b>, April 20, 2016</p><p><b></b>Approaching the eighth decade of his life, former pro
football player, Will Smith, fits seamlessly into the serene rustic
atmosphere of a Mendocino lifestyle.</p><p>Tall and fit, humble and soft spoken, Smith was one of the panelists
that graced the stage of Trinity Lutheran's community room in Ft. Bragg
to honor and celebrate Martin Luther King's Jr.'s birthday on January
18th. Smith subsequently agreed to an interview.</p><p>In a relaxed yet resonant voice, he recounted his early days in his
hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was an honor student at
Dunbar H.S., an all black school. Smith played football through high
school as an offensive guard and middle and corner linebacker.
Graduating in 1955, a time when "separate but equal" was the
unchallenged philosophy of the Southern educational system, Smith
described contact sports as a way to get into the bigger world.</p><p>With an interest and skill in both boxing and football, although
having won all six of his boxing bouts, Smith opted for an academic
scholarship to the University of Michigan and played football from his
second year on.</p><p>Despite the culture of the 50s when segregation was prevalent and
interracial dating presented negative consequences, Smith met and
married his wife, Marj, an interracial marriage that withstood the
social pressures of that time. Unabashedly crossing unwritten racial
codes, Smith was prevented from being in the starting lineup by his
Wolverine coaches who instead substituted him after the first completed
play. The marriage also stood the test of time, fruitfully bearing the
couple three children.</p><p>In 1959 Will Smith was drafted by the Chicago Bears but due to racial
undertones, left the team before the season started. He was picked up
by the Denver Broncos where, hefting an imposing 235 lbs, he played two
years as a defensive guard.... more on website above.</p></div></body></html>