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182 - Robert Smith Made 182 Tackles for Clemson

Mar 2, 2024, 12:02 AM

Clemson DB Robert Smith (2011-2014) achieved greatness on the field AND off the playing field as well.

His journey to Clemson was an interesting one. Strollmag.com describes what sealed the decision for him:

As a quarterback, Robert was setting records in South Carolina. But success was also found off the field. He graduated 15th in his class (ironically also his jersey number) with a 3.8 GPA and received academic scholarships to a number of schools, in addition to many athletic scholarships. He had his pick of so many great programs, so many different paths.

The deciding factor for Robert stemmed from an injury he endured his junior year, an ACL tear. Just before the setback, he received 12 full athletic scholarship offers from big programs. After the injury, all but one took back their offer – Clemson University.

“Clemson told me they didn’t care if I tore my other ACL; they liked me and were going to honor their commitment to me,” he recalled.

During his senior year of high school, Robert healed from his injury and enjoyed a stellar season – and the schools that had rescinded their offers of course came crawling back. But Robert stayed firm in his commitment to Clemson’s football program and its coach, Dabo Swinney.

“Coach Swinney made a commitment to me – the word ‘commitment’ never meant so much to me until that time of my life. That was one of the lowest points in my life because I thought maybe I wouldn't be able to play college ball after putting all the work in. Coach Swinney said he was not just committed to me for four to five years, but for life,” Robert admitted.

https://www.strollmag.com/articles/robert-smith-god-never-says-%E2%80%98oops%E2%80%99/

While at Clemson:

Once he got to Clemson, he continued to shine brightly! According to IPTAY’s website, Smith was a team leader:

Smith emerged as the team’s top safety in 2013 and 2014 after serving as a backup in 2011 and 2012. For his career, he amassed 182 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback pressures, four interceptions for 28 yards, seven pass breakups, one caused fumble, and three recovered fumbles in 1,641 snaps over 53 games. He was a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member, graduating with a degree in Health Science in three and a half years.

https://iptaycuad.com/robert-smith-former-tiger-football-standout-gives-back-to-p-a-w-journey/

After Clemson:

After his playing time, Smith credited Clemson for helping him develop not only as a player, but also as a man! Tigernet posted a letter from Smith to the Clemson community after his playing days had ended. The letter is long and very much worth the read. Instead of copying and pasting all of it, here is just the beginning. The rest of the letter is just as powerful. Very much worth the quick read:

To Clemson University and Tiger Nation:
The time is winding down as I anxiously await the next chapter in my football career. In a couple of weeks, I will figure out the next place I will call home. I just want to tell the entire Tiger nation thank you for the great experience. Clemson will always be like a second home to me.

Thank you Coach Swinney and the staff for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to pursue both my athletic and academic career. On January 15, 2010 at 8:32 p.m., we made a commitment to each other to be “ALL IN.” A commitment it was, and through the years we both did whatever we could to be the “Best” and make it a standard. Over the past three and a half years, I’ve grown so much in all areas of my life. The lessons I have learned at Clemson and through the game of football are priceless, and they are lessons I will cherish throughout my life. The coaches, staff and Clemson family have helped me develop from a boy to a young man.

https://www.tigernet.com/update/player/Thank-Letter-Clemson-Family-Robert-Smith-19126

And Smith apparently meant what he said. Not long after graduating, Smith made a “substantial gift to Clemson football’s P.A.W. Journey program.” The IPTAY article quoted Smith as follows:

“My time as a student-athlete at Clemson shaped me into the man I am today. What I learned both on and off the field has prepared me for all that life throws your way. It is a blessing to be able to make this philanthropic gift that will help ensure current and future young men in the football program will be afforded the same opportunities. I can’t wait to see all that lies ahead for our special program that has already touched so many lives!”

You can hear Robert Smith share his PAW Journey Success Story here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o94v0IyBlwo

More recently:

According to the StrollMag article:

Robert currently owns and publishes four N2 publications: Stroll The Cliffs Communities, Stroll Clemson, Upstate Real Producers, and BeLocal Tri-County.
…
And while he admits it’s great to make good money through his N2 publication franchise, he says it’s even better to put a smile on peoples’ faces and do things in an ethical way that serves God. Like Coach Swinney told him, “God never says ‘oops.’”
“[This is] exactly where He wanted me when He wanted me,” Robert said. “Looking back, there’s a reason for all of the back and forth... He had other plans and kept bringing me back – He had something waiting for me.”
“I always plan on going where God takes me.”

Clearly, Robert Smith is another Clemson player who is also an outstanding representative of Clemson! A true Clemson man indeed!

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Clemson: Academic Excellence! Athletic Excellence!

South Carolina Highway 182 is a 9.58 mile state highway that starts on the south end at SC 59 and SC 243 in Fair Play and travels north to SC 24 in Oakway, all in Oconee County.

There are a lot of colleges and universities in upstate South Carolina and several in the Spartanburg area. One that is intriguing is Converse University. It was established as Converse College in 1889, same as Clemson, on 20 acres on Main Street and was originally a women's college, but now is coed. Enrollment is about 1300 in 44 degree programs, with about 80% female to 20% male, good numbers for the male students. The athletic teams, known as the Valkyries, compete in Division II of the NCAA in the Conference Carolinas. Notable alumni include Christian author Lynette Eason, civil rights activist Ruth Perry, and Pulitzer Prize winner Julia Peterkin.

Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

182 - Robert Smith Made 182 Tackles for Clemson

Re: 182 - Robert Smith Made 182 Tackles for Clemson

Re: 182 - Robert Smith Made 182 Tackles for Clemson

Re: 182 - Robert Smith Made 182 Tackles for Clemson

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

ALL IN!!!***

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

It is all the small things this spring that will make for a great fall

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Slowly but Shirley!!! We're getting there!!

Good morning MfO!

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Go Tigers!***

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Go Tigers!!!!

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Roar!

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

Bump

Re: Hill Watch...182 days!!! (26 weeks! 6 months!)

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