Tommie Smith

Tommie Smith was one of the top High School players in the country in 1988, his senior year at AV High. He was selected by USA Today as the California Player of the Year after leading the Lopes to the CIF Southern Section Division II title. He gained 218 yards and scored four times in the title game against Canyon. He won all-state and All-CIF honors as a senior, and was named to several All American teams. He played running back and defensive back, and also punted.

He rushed for 2018 yards and 23 touchdowns that year, and also caught 13 passes for 185 yards and 3 more TDs. He finished the year with 182 points to rank 3rd in the state. He also averaged a remarkable 43.4 yards on 13 kick returns for another 3 TDs. On defense, he intercepted 7 passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown. To top things off, he had a 38.6 punting average.

Tommie was one of four players to receive a perfect score of 10 votes in the Best of the West poll by the Long Beach Press-Telegram. He was named MVP in the prestigious North-South Shrine Game in the summer of 1989 at the Rose Bowl. Then, it was on to the University of Washington.

After overcoming a knee injury early in his freshman year at UW, Tommy made his first appearance in the Huskies in their 5th game against USC. On his first collegiate play, he blocked a punt and returned it 32 yards for a score. He played mostly special teams and nickel back after that, and had an interception against Florida in the Freedom Bowl.

Tommie emerged as one of the top dbs in the country during his sophomore year. He started 9 games, including the 1991 Rose Bowl. He finished the year with 4 interceptions, and was 3rd on the team in total tackles. He led the team in tackles in the Rose Bowl, and returned 3 kickoffs for 43 yards as Washington defeated Iowa, 46-34.

Tommie switched to the rover spot to keep him and free safety Shane Pahukoa on the field at the same time. He intercepted a Drew Bledsoe pass against Washington State and returned it 86 yards for a score, and recorded 6 tackles in UW's win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Smith capped his Husky career by making All-Pac 10 honorable mention as a strong safety. His biggest game came against Oregon State, when he had 13 tackles. caused 2 fumbles, and recovered one himself. Lindy Magazine named him the 6th toughest hitter in the nation. The NCAA Football Preview had him ranked as the 7th best safety in the country.

His high school coach, Brent Newcomb, still refers to Tommie as the greatest player in the
history of the Antelope Valley. "He was the total package," said Newcomb. "When he was on defense, you had to figure out how to block him," said Newcomb. "And when we had the ball, you had to figure out how to stop him."