Oct. 3, 2005

By Danielle Ruman, MSU Sports Information

Going through surgery and missing a season is hard enough on your college football career. But going through four surgeries and playing football in the Big Ten is even harder. For senior Eric Smith that's what it took.

Overcoming many physical barriers during his time at Michigan State is nothing new to the Groveport, Ohio native. Although he was never injured in high school, his college career would write him a different story.

Smith's resume of injuries includes a torn meniscus in his left knee, a torn ACL in his right knee (with screws replaced three times), a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

As if each surgery wasn't hard enough on its own, two years ago Smith's ACL and right shoulder rotator cuff were hurt at the same time, leaving Smith with only one effective leg and arm.

"Since my right-shoulder surgery," said Smith, "I can't even throw a ball more than 30 yards. It's so frustrating to not be able to do the things you did so well before."

On top of trying to keep up with his normal day-to-day activities, Smith was still expected to be at classes, keep up his grades and work through physical therapy.

Those that have endured the pains of rehabilitation can understand the frustrations of working hard but seeing little results at first. For Smith, this could not be truer. Even though he had been down the road before, each surgery presented new challenges.

"When I had the second surgery on my knee," said Smith, "I told people that if it didn't get better I wasn't coming back."

After fighting his way through physical therapy, Smith started recovering well - and that's when he realized it was too soon to leave his passion on the shelf.

"When I would watch practice," said Smith, "I missed it so much. I knew that if I gave up then, I was going to be mad at myself."

Working through therapy, even when he didn't want to, Smith was able to understand that patience is a virtue. Learning it's important to let injuries heal and then fight back, Smith has passed down his experience to other injured teammates faced with his past struggles.

When current teammate Kyle Rowley was sidelined during the Hawaii game earlier this season, Smith was by his side offering encouragement to the redshirt freshman.

Through five games, Smith leads the team with 43 tackles.

"I remember seeing him looking so disappointed," said Smith. "I told him how it'll give him a chance to not only learn the defense better, but the whole game better."

Smith wasn't alone down his last road to recovery. In the winter of 2004, Smith had plenty of company with him on the sidelines. Kaleb Thornhill, Mitch Herrama and Drew Stanton were all enduring the same struggle as Smith, coping with the stress of getting back on the field after an injury.

"We all became really close after that," said Smith. "Kaleb and I would talk about the defense and it gave us a different perspective on the game. Mentally, I understand the game more than I had before the injuries."

Smith has made a name for himself as a playmaker at the strong safety position for his ability to read plays better, a trait he picked up during his rehabilitation.

"When I was on the sidelines," said Smith, "I learned the defensive line all the way to the secondary. I saw what everyone was doing and where I needed to be so I could make better plays."

Another member of the Spartan family that helped Smith to recovery was his position coach and defensive coordinator, Chris Smeland.

"Coach was always giving me advice on ways to read the offense better," said Smith. "He would give me clues that helped me react faster to the situations."

Without letting fear get in his way, Smith gives every play what it deserves - his best. Despite his many injuries, he doesn't let what happened in the past hold him back. As one of the more experienced players on the defense, Smith hopes that his teammates look to him as someone who can give them advice about thriving as a Spartan football player after overcoming adversity.

"You can't think about it," said Smith. "You're more likely to get hurt if you do things halfway than you are if you just give it your all."

Smith's all-out attitude is also evident in the classroom. While there is more to the 6-1 Spartan than just his football game, Smith is also seen as an ideal student. Aside from his injuries, Smith has still kept up his reputation for being studious, a trait that traces back to high school academics.

"Before I chose MSU, I had some offers from Harvard and Yale but they couldn't give full athletic scholarships," Smith said. "I didn't want to pass up a chance to play at Michigan State in the Big Ten Conference."

Smith's academic achievements don't stop at the Ivy League recruiting. Last year, Smith received Academic All-Big Ten honors for his outstanding achievements in the classroom and even received his bachelor of arts in criminal justice in May of 2005. Now in graduate school, Smith remains focused on his studies as well as the field.

"When I came to MSU," said Smith, "I set a goal to excel in both football and academics."

Smith has been a role model from the start of his career at Michigan State. Whether he is working hard in the classroom or on the field, he has been the ideal captain who is always overcoming any obstacle thrown his way.

Though Smith's journey has been tough, his attitude has remained strong. A work ethic that comes as no surprise if you follow a motto once told to Smith by an old friend: "If you strive for perfection but fall short, you'll still achieve greatness."

Determined to play every play just as hard as the last, Smith will continue to proudly wear the Green and White with pride and dignity throughout his senior season, looking for perfection every snap of the way.