Akili Smith Growing up...

[woundedknees]

Former Duck is building a new life.

https://admin.signonsandiego.com/storie ... ith205216/

Akili Smith can see the whole field now. He can see where the daylight dimmed, where his bright promise became cloaked in shadowy skepticism, where his football career was fumbled.
Ten years after a $10 million signing bonus failed to extract his full potential, the 33-year-old Smith has re-dedicated himself to his sport and is sweating the small stuff for free. The former first-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals – the NFL's third overall selection of 1999 – has returned to Grossmont College as an unpaid and untiring quarterbacks coach.

If the light has come on a little late, its glow is growing.

"I'm completely amazed," said Mike Jordan, head coach of the Grossmont Griffins. "It's hard to think he'd come back and be that enthusiastic about this level. But he's the first one there and he's working harder than any of my coaches

"I've put away those childish things," Smith said, proudly, "and I'm finally starting to become a man."

That Smith's phrasing echoes that of the Bible is no coincidence. After spending much of his life "running" from religion, Smith has become a deacon in his father's United Missionary Baptist Church, the quarterback of a flag football power known as "God's House," and, for the past 16 months, has stayed sober. He is, by his own estimate, "a walking testimony."

Gradually, the daylight is returning. Smith has completed his first season as a college coach with undiminished enthusiasm. Soon, Jordan hopes to expand his game-planning responsibilities.

That is, of course, provided Smith is finished playing.

"I think he's probably in good enough shape to go back and play right now," Jordan said. "If someone needs a quarterback, I'd give him a call."

[duckgrad99]

That's a great story. To spend a lot of time doing something like this with no pay shows just how much passion he still has for the game and wants to help others out.

[freedjr]

Good for him. It's always great to see someone's life turn around. Ryan Leaf needs to take note.

[UOducksTK1]

Good story. Akili is arguably one of the best QBs ever at Oregon, if not the best. But sometimes life has a different purpose for you.

[woundedknees]

Who knows where his new focus will take him... He doesn't need the money, so like Coach Azz, he should be able to do it "For Love Of The Game".

[briarduck]

Akili is one of my all-time favorites, its great to see him get his life on track!

How the hell Joey and Akili couldn't make (as starters) it in the NFL is beyond me...and proves drafting a QB at that level is a true crap shoot!

Once a Duck always a Duck...GO DUCKS!!

[UofDuck]

Love it. I played baseball for the Griffin's in the 80's. Yes, they are green and yellow.