Meet Farragut football player, youth volunteer coach Jay Smiley
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Farragut senior Jay Smiley is a leader on and off the football field. When you see number 20 in the game this fall, you can rest assured he is out there for the right reasons. Jay plays inside linebacker and communicates the coaches鈥� plays to the defensive line and other backers. He is also responsible for relaying back to the coaches which strategies have and have not been successful so that adjustments can be made.
Jay wears the number 20 in honor of his grandfather, who was a football star in Savannah and earned many awards playing at the University of Georgia. 鈥淗e (my grandfather) has always been an inspiration to me,鈥� said Jay. 鈥淗e has accomplished so much on and off the field but is also humble. His knowledge of the game has always helped me to be a better player.鈥�
During his junior year, Jay was involved in the HOPE squad. Farragut High was a pilot school for the program and Knox County plans to expand to other schools in the future. The HOPE squad is a peer-based suicide prevention support system and members of the squad are chosen by their classmates. Jay and other members are trained to look for signs of depression and suicidal thoughts in their classmates, reach out to them, and refer them to resources.聽
It is no surprise that one of Jay鈥檚 coaches told him he should be a coach one day. Jay has taken that advice to heart and enjoys volunteer coaching basketball and flag football. Both years that Jay has coached basketball, his team has come in second place in the CBFO Championships. Jay has overcome multiple knee injuries through physical therapy and he has much wisdom to pass on to younger athletes. 鈥淲hen I make a mistake, I forget it,鈥� said Jay. 鈥淚 move on to the next play. There is no time to worry about the mistake during the game. Our coaches have taught us great techniques and what we should be doing on the field. I just focus on that and move on.鈥�
Jay鈥檚 goals for the current season include earning the All Region and/or All State Awards, after earning All Region last year. He will continue to work hard and hopes to play on the collegiate level and professionally. Jay is ready for any challenges coming his way in football and in life.聽
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