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The University of Utah Athletics
Press Conference Quotes: Steve Smith Endowed Scholarship
3/26/2008 12:00 AM | Football
March 26, 2008
Utah Football Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
I would like to thank Steve Smith for his awesome donation. I am sure that Angie had big part in this so thank her for that too. It is costly to run a Division I football program and athletic department and this is a big factor in defraying those costs. Steve was an electrifying player when he was here and a competitive person. I was the defensive coordinator at the time and trying to cover him in practice was a headache. He and Andre Dyson had some great battles during the course of practice. This is great for the U. For Steve, this shows his unselfishness and generosity. The Utes have more players in the NFL than any other Mountain West Conference school, and I hope other former players continue to follow suit. Thanks Steve, we appreciate it.
Carolina Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson
Thank you. Let me tell you story about Steve. When he first joined the team he was particularly noted as good punt and kickoff return person. He doesn't like to do that anymore, but he has reached the the status where he can have a say if he wants to do that or not. When he played in the opening game, he returned a kick for touchdown. My son Mark was in charge of the team store, and Steve said that he noticed that they didn't have a Steve Smith jersey. Mark said that he was a rookie and had only played one game. Steve said that he was going to do big things, and asked what he had to do. Mark said that when he returned three kickoffs or punts for a touchdown, we'll put your jersey in the team store. In the second week he had returned three kicks for touchdowns, and he went to Mark and said - `3. When's my jersey going to be in the store?' His jersey obviously is in the store, it's one of our most popular jerseys, perhaps the most popular. Steve is much more than a football player. For Steve to be this generous in this stage of career says a lot for this University. We were talking about coming here today, and he has a great appreciation for the University. He didn't get prompted to make this donation by me or anyone in the NFL or anyone that I'm aware of. It was a decision that Steve and Angie made. I hope other athletes would take heed. You don't have to be a professional football player to support the University. You don't have to give hundreds of thousands of dollars - you can give 100 dollars. It's a good habit to support your university. I encourage you to take the lead from Steve. He is an outstanding young man.
We are fortunate to have this young man. He is an outstanding person and we are very proud of him.
Steve Smith
Thank you. I was actually pretty good till I got here, now I'm starting to get emotional. I hope don't get too emotional, because I am a softie. I would like to thank, among others, the University and Mr. Richardson. I would like to thank Manny Hendrix. Throughout the years we have had many conversations and laughs which went beyond football. He had asked what I thought about giving. I said no, then I said yes, then I said no, and now I'm here so I did say yes.
It's interesting how it comes forward. I remember back to July 3 (before my freshman year) when I left L.A. I was sitting in LAX and I was scared. I was a kid who didn't know what he was going to do, where I was going to go, how I was going to turn out. I got here and was greeted by Fred Graves, who was the wide receivers coach at time. He is like a father figure to me. Michele Graves is like my mom. Also, Vicky McBride. I got here and had no idea what was going to happen.
A lot of people say that money is everything. I'm doing the same thing that whoever gave me a scholarship has done - give me an opportunity. I had an opportunity for an education. I appreciate the opportunities the U gave me. I had the opportunity to do what I wanted to do all life - play professional sports. I didn't look at college as an avenue for that. When I came to college and got to play here, it was a stepping stone for me to realize what football is all about - doing your childhood dream, which is playing with people who love to play. Everyone puts so much emphasis on winning and sometimes they fail to realize the process and technique it takes for winning results. I learned that at Utah by my teammates, coaches and now owner. The most important person in my life is my wife. Leaving my mom, coming from L.A. to Utah, I would have never met my best friend, my wife. Coming back is like icing on the cake, the cherry on the sundae - it's an opportunity to give back. I hope that whoever gets this scholarship will do the same thing as I did, and repeat the cycle - they can help someone out. I wouldn't be sitting here without someone helping me out. Thank you, I appreciate it, and go Utes!
On following the Utes:
I follow it. Fortunately, with being in sports, we watch so much film, that watching another game is refreshing, although sometime it's last thing you want to do. In my household in the TV area most of the time the channel is on Disney or Nickelodeon. I don't rule the TV until at least 8:30 at night. I saw that women's basketball lost and was disappointed in that. I try to watch and catch up. Make sure the quarterback is doing what he needs to do.
My child development classes are coming in handy with a 10, 6, and 3-year-old. I still have my books and I've gone back and looked at them.
On reaching the level he has reached:
I never thought this day would come. It's still surreal that I'm actually a professional football player, and I'm actually pretty good. It really still amazes me. On ESPN, they ranked me No. 3 out of all the wide receivers. I am shocked with that as well. You can't imagine this. You can't draw this up, no matter how many guys say they might. I never thought it would actually come true in this way.
On the Super Bowl:
If you don't win, you're better off not going. It's like the game - it's very addicting. Once you get used to it, it's a feeling you always want and it goes by so fast. I don't attend unless I'm participating in it.
On the decision to donate:
Give and give back, which is Christ based. Give to a lot of different areas, and this is one of the areas I feel very strong about. The faces change but the institution doesn't. I will always be linked with Utah and this is another way to connect in a positive way.
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