WASHINGTON D.C. – Tennessee junior offensive lineman Trey Smith will be honored with the inaugural Fritz Pollard Trophy at the 15th annual Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Salute to Excellence Awards on Jan. 30 at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in South Florida in conjunction with Super Bowl LIV festivities, the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation announced Wednesday.
The Fritz Pollard Trophy honors a college player who has exemplified extraordinary courage, community values, and exceptional performance on the field, while the awards ceremony celebrates individuals and organizations who display outstanding performances on the field, in front offices and across the U.S. by exemplifying diversity, courage and meritorious performance.
Smith started 12 games at left guard in 2019 en route to All-SEC First Team honors from the coaches and media. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice this fall. After missing the final five games of the 2018 season and a comeback to football questionable, Smith returned to his dominant ways and spearheaded Tennessee’s six-game win streak to end the season. SEC Network analyst and offensive line expert Cole Cubelic named Smith to his All-America First Team.
Smith was diagnosed with blood clots in February of 2018, but returned to play for the Vols in 2018. Another setback occurred in October of 2018 and Smith missed the final five games of the season. He again fought back to return to football. A plan was developed by the Tennessee medical staff, in collaboration with specialists, which minimizes Smith’s risk for recurrent blood clots, while allowing him to play football.
The Jackson, Tenn., native continued his commitment to the community even during a busy football season. Smith is an active speaker to youth groups, elementary schools and organizations across the state and led coat drives for Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry (KARM) during the 2018 and 2019 seasons where over 1,000 coats were donated each year because of his efforts.
Smith, who recently announced that he will return to the Volunteers for his senior season, is also one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award given to the nation’s top all-around student-athlete, which will be awarded to the winner on Feb. 18.
Others to be honored include the Miami Dolphins Football Club (Paul J. Tagliabue Award), Richard Lapchick, PhD (Dan Rooney Lifetime Achievement Award), and NFL Executive Vice President, Football Operations Troy Vincent, President of 49ers Enterprises and EVP of Football Operations Paraag Marathe and the City Furniture Florida Business, who will all receive Salute to Excellence Awards.
NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell will be in attendance and providing remarks.
-UT Athletics
