SIMPLY THE BEST

I would have loved to provide a link to a national story on Brad Smith's record-setting career but I couldn't find one, which troubles me greatly. Has our society really been so brainwashed that all sports fans care about are the best teams, highlight-reel plays and controversial happenings in the world of sports?

I'm afraid so. I caught ESPN's highlights of Missouri's game against Baylor. They lasted for about 35 seconds and afterwards there was no special screen displaying the accomplishments of MU Quarterback Brad Smith. If ESPN was truly the worldwide leader in sports, a graphic including the following information would have been displayed:

* On Saturday, Nov. 5, during Mizzou's game at Colorado, Smith passed Indiana's Antwaan Randle-El as the all-time leading quarterback rusher in NCAA history as he finished that game with 3,907 yards.

* On Saturday, Nov. 12, during Mizzou's game against Baylor, Smith went on to set the following records:

✪ –In leading the Tigers to the 31-16 win, Smith became the first player in Division I-A history
to reach the 8,000-yard passing and 4,000-yard rushing threshold, as his 161 yards on the day
pushed his career rushing total to 4,068 yards (he has 8,269 passing yards after Saturday). He is
already the D-IA career record holder for rushing yards by a QB...

✪ – Smith also broke the Big 12 Conference career total offense record with his 233-yard day
(161 rush/72 passing), giving him 12,337 yards for his career. That broke the old record of 12,263
held by Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury (1999-2002). Smith now stands ranked No. 6 alltime on the
NCAA D-IA career total offense charts, and is 395 yards shy of moving to 4th place on the alltime
list...

✪ – Smith broke the MU career scoring record with his 3 TDs on the day, giving him 260
career points. That surpassed the old standard of 252 set by former TB Zack Abron (2000-03).
Smith also broke Abron’s career record for rushing TDs (Smith now has 41 – Abron had 40) and
he tied Abron’s career mark for total TDs scored, at 42...

Smith's storied career as the greatest offensive player in University of Missouri history saw its final home game on Saturday. After his knee grazed the Faurot Field turf to send the Tigers home with the win to make the team Bowl eligible, this journalist's eyes couldn't help but tear up. Between crying for the White Sox world series and now this, maybe I'm becoming too sentimental.

But Saturday marked the end of a once-in-a-lifetime career. Smith's accomplishments might never be broken, as the only legit way would be for a QB to take the reigns his freshman year and post consistently outstanding statistics for four straight seasons.

When I made my way to Mizzou in 2002, I had no expectations for MU football. It's never been a great program and there was no reason to get my hopes up. But, of course, the sports fan in me had to know what to expect. I knew about Justin Gage and Kirk Farmer and that was it. And then, something weird happened--the senior QB (Farmer) had lost his job to some freshman named Bradley Smith. I figured the program was just starting from scratch and shook my head in disappointment.

That all changed with his first game back on Aug. 31, 2002 when Smith lead an unranked Missouri team to a 33-20 win over Illinois at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Smith accounted for 290 yards of total offense in his debut, but didn't find the end zone on this day, an act he'd make routine over the rest of his career.

His real coming out party came later that season when the Tigers hosted No. 1 Oklahoma and their No. 3-ranked defense. In his first chance to shine in the spotlight, Smith rushed for 213 yards and accounted for three TD's as MU nearly defeated the Sooners. His coming out party earned him some high praise.

"Brad Smith, just an incredible performance," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "He really was exceptional in his play and what he did tonight. As a team and as a head coach, I feel very fortunate - lucky - to have been able to have fought through this and won."

Smith would go onto be named to the Freshman All-American team and set the stage for an outstanding sophomore campaign in which he would lead the Tigers to an appearance in the Independence Bowl. He would accomplish two more outstanding feats during the 2003 season.

First, Smith lead the Tigers to their first victory over Nebraska in 24 years with a 41-24 win on Oct. 11. Smith's 4 touchdowns made this Saturday night one which Mizzou fans and alum will never forget.

Smith wasn't done there though. Two weeks later on Oct. 25, Smith would set the NCAA D-IA record for rushing yards in a game with 291 yards and 5 TD's in a 62-31 Tigers' bashing of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Smith's junior and senior seasons haven't been filled with as many memorable moments, largely due to the stupidity of the MU coaching staff. Nonetheless, Smith has given MU fans enough memorable moments to last a lifetime. I, for one, can take pride in knowing that I saw roughly 98% of Smith's current 4,068 yards on the ground and I made it a point to be in attendance as he broke the QB rushing record in Boulder.

I'm left wondering why more Missouri fans wouldn't show at Faurot on Saturday to send Smith out with the standing ovation he so rightfully deserved. Through all the problems with the coaching staff and the talent that surrounded Smith during his time at MU, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that Smith gave 110% on each and every play.

For all of Smith's playing accomplishments, he might have been better off the field. He is the most down-to-earth, genuinely nice and caring athlete I have ever spoken with and that list includes some amazing names (if you want a list, I'll gladly provide one upon request). Smith is a genuine role model and is the posterboy for everything that we wish more athletes would be like today.

Smith made a modest victory lap after the field began to clear on Saturday, high-fiving the roughly 200 fans who cared enough to give Smith a fond farewell. As I watched him walk back into the Missouri locker room for the final time, I couldn't help but wish that Faurot Field isn't the last place he calls home.

His future in football is a giant question mark. He lacks the throwing ability to play QB at the next level and his draft stock will strictly depend on how teams view him as an overall athlete as they will undoubtably try to convert him to a wide receiver.

That's all too far into the future. It's important that time is taken to reflect on a truly remarkable career. It's unfortunate that not many people outside of Columbia know about "Sweet 16" BD. SMITH. But that's okay, it's just the way he would want it.

Brad-- I thank you for everything you gave on the field, for the outstanding memories you've provided everyone wearing black and gold on Saturday's and most importantly, for being a complete class act when so many others choose to be whatevr the opposite of that is called. You will be missed but your legacy to Missouri, the Big 12 and even the NCAA will never be forgotten.