Throughout Tyrone Smith’s NFL career, he never backed down from the game’s elite offensive players as he attacked at high speed to provide a great collision to make a play.
Smith, 13 years removed from the game he loves, continues to tackle life and societal issues with greater collisions through ministry, his foundation (First and Goal, Inc.), and his upcoming book, Beyond the Game – Steps to Developing a Game Plan for Life.
“With ministry being a large part of my life as a person and being one that is always willing to give it goes with the work that I do with First and Goal, Inc.,” said Smith. “I truly know and believe that I am called to make a difference in the lives of today’s youth and I thank God each day that I am afforded the opportunity to do so through First and Goal, Inc. and many other opportunities that come before me in my life.”
Smith spent four seasons in the league (three with the San Francisco 49ers and had a brief stint with the Washington Redskins). His experience didn’t make him a household name. However, his NFL experience created the opportunity to enrich lives of America’s youth and he has no regrets.
“I have no regrets of playing football because football has given me a platform to empower today’s young people,” said Smith.
According to a release statement by Smith, Beyond the Game gives an in-depth perspective of his life as a young African American man who came from meager beginnings, and found success by following the path outlined by the principles in the book.
Smith, a graduate of Baylor University, could have easily given up on life after sustaining a career-ending injury. Smith broke the T-5 (Thoracic) vertebrae in his back (spinal column) while playing in NFL Europe.
Countless professional athletes who had their careers ended in a horrible way struggled to bounce back in life to create opportunities for themselves and their family.
Smith realizes that his story, through Beyond the Game, will empower, motivate and inspire individuals to think twice about giving up in life. In addition, Beyond the Game will help readers to learn life lessons and how to apply the knowledge gained through each experience to their own lives.
The purpose of the book is to help individuals to define success as it applies to their goals and dreams by utilizing the principles that Smith has developed throughout his life long journey as a young man in elementary, junior high school, high school, college and his career in the NFL.
“As an inspirational leader that is committed to excellence, Tyrone Smith is dedicated to helping others pursue their hopes and dreams,” said Xavier L. Whitaker, an academic advisor at the University of Texas at Austin. “His charisma, zest, and positive influence inspire youth and the greater community to envision all the exciting possibilities of achieving success.”
As a native of Houston, Smith has been able to influence thousands of young individuals in Texas through his foundation at First and Goal, Inc., and as a powerful motivational speaker.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Smith for the past several years through his work on various projects in the Aldine Independent School District,” said Charlotte J. Davis, Ph.D., Director of Guidance & Counseling/At-Risk Students at the Aldine Independent School District. “Mr. Smith is a dynamic and powerful motivational speaker who captivates audiences with his passion for making a difference in the lives of others, particularly young people. He has the unique ability and skills to reach young people of all ages.”
Smith is such an impactful speaker and motivator; he was offered countless job opportunities on all levels of football and businesses. Due to his dedication and passion, Smith graciously turned those offers down because he did not want to stop his work with the young people in Texas and inconvenience his family by uprooting them.
Nevertheless, Smith continues to stay in contact with his NFL brothers.
“I talk to different guys that I played with in the NFL pretty often and it may range to speaking with some guys once a month or some guys weekly,” said Smith.
He has a beautiful family of five, his wife DeMonica and their four kids: Whitney, Amanda, Tyrone II and Tyler.
Smith’s desired tone for the Beyond the Game is to be entertaining, as well as informative. At times the chapters have a humorous tone, but the overall chapters should invoke emotions from the reader that help the reader to feel that the former NFL cornerback understands what it means to overcome adversity and find success.
Beyond the Game may appear to be catering young people, but, according to Smith, his book is to encourage anyone.
“The primary audience is youth and young adults,” said Smith. “Although my desire is to have a book that anyone can read and be fulfilled to something different with their lives by knowing and realizing that they have value as a person or old.”
Lastly, Beyond the Game will hit shelves in bookstores in August, and hopefully in collegiate institutions across America. Most specifically, Smith hopes that his story hit hearts and sparks inspirations now.
Visit Smith’s website, TyroneSmith24.com.
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