Franky Smith
Class of 2000
Franky L. Smith earned recognition as one of the finest football players in the history of Alabama A&M University, building a career that carried him from standout collegiate athlete to professional football and coaching.
Smith first gained attention as a talented lineman at Jackson-Olin High School. His success there earned him a scholarship to Alabama A&M, where he quickly established himself as a dominant presence on the offensive line.
During his collegiate career, Smith became a two-time All-American and was named Alabama A&M’s Male Athlete of the Year. In 1977 he also received Most Valuable Player honors for the Bulldogs football team, recognizing his leadership and performance during one of the program’s strongest seasons.
Smith’s accomplishments at Alabama A&M led to professional opportunities. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. After two seasons in Denver, Smith moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he became the starting right tackle.
He later continued his professional career in the Canadian Football League before finishing his playing days in the United States Football League.
After retiring from professional football, Smith transitioned into coaching. He served as an assistant coach at Tuskegee University from 1985 to 1987 and later coached at Hampton University for seven years. In 1994 he returned to Alabama A&M as offensive line coach under head coach Ken Pettiford.
Smith credits much of his success to his high school coach, Robert Dickerson, who encouraged him to pursue a college education. Smith has often said that attending college was not originally part of his plans until his coach recognized his potential and helped guide his future.
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