Cowboys: Mazi Smith has special motivation to be great
It was an interesting first day of the NFL Draft that saw a plethora of trades and premium talent that were left still on the board once it was over. One guy that has his new team is defensive tackle Mazi Smith who was the Cowboys' selection with the 26th overall pick. Smith now begins […]
It was an interesting first day of the NFL Draft that saw a plethora of trades and premium talent that were left still on the board once it was over. One guy that has his new team is defensive tackle Mazi Smith who was the Cowboys' selection with the 26th overall pick.
Smith now begins his NFL journey, and he certainly is having moments of joy and reflection as he soaks in having his dream come true. A moment like this is a motivating factor for Smith to strive even harder to perfect his game and be an effective player.
The former first-team All-Big 12 performer has even more reason to push himself, and it's as special as it gets.
"My grandma was like my second mother. I just wish (my grandparents) were here right now," Smith said. "My grandma, her favorite team was the Cowboys. My nana loved the Cowboys. I just wish she was here so she could see, but she’s watching.”
Who's cutting onions?
It's one thing for a player to get drafted, that's special enough. In Smith's case, he has someone that meant the world to him that was connected to the Cowboys before he was even born. So, for Smith, getting drafted by the Cowboys has to be a surreal experience, and it's something that could take his game to a level that even he never knew it can get to.
Dan Quinn is the mastermind of the Cowboys' defense, and he's led them to be one of the best units of its kind in the NFL after leading the league in turnovers for two consecutive seasons. So, if anyone can maximize what Smith can do, it's Quinn.
Smith arrived in Dallas on Friday morning and was greeted by the Cowboys' brass with open arms. Now, he can continue making his grandmother smile from heaven.
