University of Oklahoma Athletics

Smith Named Semifinalist For Mackey Award

November 22, 2002 | Football

By: Athletics Communications

Nov. 22, 2002

Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma's Trent Smith is one of nine semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top tight end. The Sooner senior was one of three finalists for the award last year.

The Nassau County Sports Commission, based in Manhasset, NY, sponsors the award.

Other semifinalists include Michigan's Bennie Joppru, Iowa's Dallas Clark, Oregon's George Wrighster, Tennessee's Jason Witten, Miami's Kellen Winslow, Jr., Washington's Kevin Ware, UCLA's Mike Seidman and California's Tom Swoboda.

Smith is OU's second-leading receiver with 28 catches for 259 yards and one touchdown. He had the top day by an OU receiver this season with six catches at Texas A&M. Sooner coaches also have been quick to praise Smith's expanded and important blocking role in Oklahoma's new-found success in the running game.

Since the award was first given out in 2000, three of the four finalists that have been eligible for the NFL Draft, have been selected in the first round. In 2001, award winner Dan Graham was selected 21st by the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots while finalist Jeremy Shockey was selected 14th overall by the New York Giants.

The winner of the award will be selected in December, 2002 and will be presented his trophy at the NCSC's Annual Awards Dinner Banquet at the Chateau Briand in Westbury, NY on April 8, 2003. The Mackey Award selection committee is composed of national sportswriters, commentators and outstanding NFL players.

The John Mackey Award was created by the NCSC under the guidance of board member Don McPherson, a county native and former NFL and Syracuse University All-American quarterback. Mackey, also a Nassau County native, is regarded as one of the best athletes to have played the position of tight end. In addition to being an NFL Hall of Famer, he is also a Super Bowl winner (Baltimore, Super Bowl V) and was the first President of the NFLPA.

For more on the Mackey Award go to http://www.nassausports.org/mackey/index.html

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