Scouting Combine 2000

Q&A with Arizona State OT Marvel Smith

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000

Smith: Basically because I’ll be finishing school in May. I’m getting my degree. I achieved all that I wanted to at ASU. During the season, I didn’t feel my opponents were pushing me as much as I wanted them to make me better. So I figured if I came back another year, I wouldn’t better myself as much as I would in the NFL facing the (top) competition.

Q: You grew up in a rough area in Oakland. How much did economics play into your decision to come out?

Smith: The money? I’ve never had any money all my life. The league minimum is more money than I ever dreamed I’d have. I don’t want a lot for myself; I just want to help out my family in any way that I can. … When I was growing up, I didn’t have role models and people to look up to to show me what I could have outside of Oakland. So I want to give back to all the at-risk youth — everywhere, not (only) in my hometown.

Q: A lot of athletes say they’re not role models. Do you consider yourself a budding role model?

Smith: I would love to be a role model for everybody back home. Growing up, there weren’t a lot of people telling me what good things I could do. It was all negativity, like I’m not going to amount to anything. And I’m a living example, coming from where I come from, that you can make it to where you want to be in life.

Q: Where do you think you’ve grown the most as a player?

Smith: I’ve grown in every aspect. Coming from high school, I wasn’t really prepared for the college level. It was like completely learning football all over. And I credit (ASU offensive coordinator Dan) Cozzetto with that fully. He taught me everything I needed to do on and off the field. Coming in, I had a lot of doubts from people who weren’t sure I’d be able to reach the level I’m at now. He helped me focus on what was going to make me happy, not worrying about other people’s opinions.

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