A defensive leader: Senior Eric Smith
After this year, senior safety Eric Smith can reflect on the many obstacles he overcame to become a team leader. He has fought through many injuries to become a playmaker and reliable defender. Danielle Ruman of MSU Sports Information writes that Smith’s battle with adversity is what made him a player that Spartan fans will miss next fall.
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 fi