Wade Smith
 Smith during the summer of 2010. | |||||||||
No. 74 Houston Texans | |||||||||
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| Center/Guard | |||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||
| Date of birth: April 26, 1981 | |||||||||
| Place of birth: Dallas, Texas | |||||||||
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Career information | |||||||||
| High school: Dallas (TX) Lake Highlands | |||||||||
| College: Memphis | |||||||||
| NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 3 / Pick: 78 | |||||||||
| Debuted in 2003 for the Miami Dolphins | |||||||||
Career history
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| Roster status: Active | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards
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Career NFL statistics as of 2012 | |||||||||
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Wade Leon Smith (born April 26, 1981) is an American football center/guard for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Memphis, and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Smith has also played for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.
College career
He was a four-year letterman and two-year starting left tackle as a senior and was named a second-team All-Conference USA selection. He was formerly used at tight end and caught five passes for 25 yards as a sophomore.
Professional career
Smith was ranked fifth among offensive guard prospects and was projected a fourth round in the 2003 NFL Draft.[1][2]
In the October 16, 2011 away game match-up between the Texans and Ravens, Smith recovered a loose ball to score the first touchdown scored by an offensive lineman in Texans history.[3][4]
Smith was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl AFC Team in 2013 for the first time in his career. He joined 8 of his Houston Texans teammates in Hawaii in his debut.[5][6]
Charity
With a deep desire to establish a community presence and uplifting programs, Smith founded The Wade Smith Foundation (WSF) in 2012 in Dallas, TX, to address and support the many educational and health issues of children in his hometown.[7] The 501(c)(3)'s mission is to facilitate the growth of today’s youth by providing them with the necessary tools to improve their overall development as young adults. Smith and WSF provide community support for youth and community programs in the areas of: • Health, Fitness and Nutrition • “Reading With the Pros” Literacy Events (over 10 held in 2012) • “Smitty’s Scholars” - Annual Scholarship Program for graduating high school seniors in Dallas and Houston, Texas • Natural Disaster Relief & Emergency Volunteers • The Ultimate NFL Game Experience/TACT Program – Opportunities for deserving students and families to enjoy Texans home games and to greet the players • Gobble Game – Thanksgiving Day Game & Dinner Experience for Deserving Houston Families
Since inception, The WSF has served thousands of Dallas and Houston residents and students, over 8 elementary schools and 2 public libraries in both markets, and has plans of program expansion.
Smith is deeply passionate about supporting programs in the Lake Highlands community and also, at his alma mater, Lake Highlands High School.[8] His annual charity weekend each April, has united many Lake Highlands alumni and other professional athletes and celebrities for the charitable goal of coaching and mentoring local children, and providing family entertainment.[9][10]
Smith is also active with the NFL's Play 60 campaign [11] as well as the Houston Food Bank.[12] Smith recently participated in the Brandon Carr "Car Cares" Celebrity Charity Softball Game.[13]
References
- ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2003/draft/players/8592.html
- ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2003/draft/breakdowns/by_position/og.html
- ↑ http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2011/10/offensive-lineman-scores-huge-touchdown-for-texans/
- ↑ http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000205413/2012-Best-of-Geno-Atkins?continuous=true
- ↑ http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/12/a-record-eight-texans-get-pro-bowl-honors/
- ↑ http://www.gotigersgo.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010213aaa.html
- ↑ http://wadesmithfoundation.org/about-us/
- ↑ http://www.stateofthetexans.com/coming-back-home-an-interview-with-wade-smith/
- ↑ http://www.lakehighlandstoday.com/index.php/news/article/legends_return_home_for_inaugural_charity_event/
- ↑ http://wadesweekend.com
- ↑ http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Wade-Smith-Texans-up-awareness-for-NFL-Play-60/1c0e7ea5-917b-4f4c-97a0-d2a463ecfe04
- ↑ http://media.houstontexans.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1342
- ↑ http://www.dfw.com/2013/06/03/800419/brandon-carr-of-the-dallas-cowboys.html
External links
- The Official Website of NFL Pro Bowler Wade Smith
- The Wade Smith Foundation
- Houston Texans bio
- Kansas City Chiefs bio
- New York Jets bio
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