Friday night Kevin Smith made a return to Orange to receive a key to the city from Mayor Larry Spears. The presentation was made before a concert at the Orange Pavilion.
The ceremony comes on the heels of the announcement that Smith will join the College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2024, later this year.
After receiving the key, the West Orange-Stark grad started by thanking his parents, including his mother who was in attendance. He also thanked his coaches as he was joined on stage by Dan Hooks and Cornel Thompson. Also current Mustang coach Hiawatha Hickman was there as well.
Smith said, “Football is about family. Football is about life. There’s so many lessons to be learned. Without football I wouldn’t have been able to go to Texas A&M or be a Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys. Football has given me the opportunity to see the world and that’s my message to the kids in Orange now. There’s a whole world out there to experience.”
Smith is Orange’s most decorated athlete. He helped lead the Mustangs to two State Championships (86-87) and was All-State on offense and defense his senior year. With the Aggies he was a three time All-Conference cornerback and still holds three Aggie records. And after becoming a first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, he helped them win three Super Bowls (93, 94, 96).
Smith will be the Parade Marshal in the Krewe of Krewes Parade on Saturday at 6pm in downtown Orange.
Congratulations Kevin!
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