I am Vincent Smith former Running Back at U of M and I also am starting a painting program AMA

Hi Vincent. Just wanted to that even though your legacy with some football fans as the guy who got hit by Clowney, Michigan fans will always remember you for your gritty play, amazing blocking, and—of course—finger guns. Speaking for all Michigan fans, thank you.

My question for you is when did you begin painting and what drove your interest?

I began at U of M just randomly. I was interested because I wanted to try something different.

What kind of sub did you get?

Chicken bacon ranch wheat bread.

Is this part of your NFL-training diet, or a deviation from it?

No

What did it feel like when Clowney hit you? What went wrong with the play where he was able to get to you so quickly?

My tight end missed the call on the down block.

the play

LT Taylor Lewan audibled for a change in the blocking scheme after noticing SC preparing a blitz.

glad you weren't injured and took it like an adult

Lol yea I took one for the team.

what's the funniest comment you heard in regard to that play

Lol the funniest one was why didn't you shake him like you do everyone else, when he was right in my face as I was getting the ball..

Hi Vincent, U-M grad '98 here. Were you involved with Martavious Odoms's Hope For Pahoke kickstarter, and did that help you get your project going?

Were you guys expressly allowed or forbidden from going to fan sites like mgoblog? Do any of the comments from fans get to you guys?

What is the biggest difference between Coach Rodriguez and Coach Hoke?

Last, as a player: more marching band, or more piped-in music?

Thanks for a great career, and Go Blue!

Yes I brain stormed with him but I was in school and it would've been against the rules.

And we couldn't get on mgoblogs and talk either.

Skip

I like them both.

Thanks, Go Blue

Growing up in Pahokee, did you experience any culture shock when you first started living in Ann Arbor?

The only thing that shock me was the weather.

Because it was my first time seeing snow

Whats your favorite burrito at BTBs?

The Chicken burrito.

hey Vincent, how was it like playing with Denard and in Hoke's offense?

good luck with the painting program

It was good playing with my good old friend and blocking for him.

What was your favorite play that you guys ran? I'm guessing that throwback wheel route that always seemed to get you into the end zone.

Yes you are correct. Any play involves me getting the ball in space

Guys, that "proof" photo is an obvious shop, here's the original image.

Lol that's funny

Go Bucks. And best of luck with the project, it sounds great. Definitely donating again if you add a Scarlet and Grey wristband

Thank you so much for your support. But sorry I can't do that :)

Favorite food and NFL team?

Clam chowder and hopefully I'll have a favorite team In the future.

What is your least favorite part about Michigan? What's your most favorite?

My least favorite is the weather but my favorite is the big house and being a Michigan alumni.

I've read about Pahokee and the caliber of athletes that come out of there before and was just wondering how well you think playing high school football in Pahokee prepared you for college football? And what made you decide on a painting class?

It really prepared me because I played with a lot of guys that were successful and made it to the NFL like J. Jenkins (Rams) and P.McPhee (Ravens) . We all were hard on each other to be the best coming from our area.

Random I needed a class for my elective and I shocked myself.

Was it tough transitioning from Rich Rod to Brady Hoke?

It wasn't easy but I had to learn them both quickly if I wanted to play.

What's your plan should the NFL not have a spot for you?

They should have one for me and whatever spot I have I'll take full advantage of my opportunity.

What was your favorite individual play/game that you had and what was your favorite team play/game?

Actually the half back pass was my favorite

What's your favorite stadium that you played in (other than The Big House, of course)?

I would say New Orleans but the big house was the best.

After the under the light game really had me sold. Classic

I was born and raised in Columbus. Been a Michigan fan my whole life. Joined the Air Force in '07 and been station in Biloxi, Ms ever since. Got free tickets to the Sugar Bowl and I must say that was the best night of my life! Thanks for being apart of it. I'm going to donate the last $54 to get you to your goal. Best of luck to your career and great outreach program in the future!

Thanks for you donation. Happy to be apart of your experience.

Were you ever intimidated by road crowds? I always feel like I would play so awful in front of thousands who don't like me.

Not at all I've been playing football since I was 9 with the 11 year olds at the end to the day it the same field, football, and same rules everything else really don't matter.

Oh yea and to WIN!!

Just think about your playing the game for and who your playing it for.

Do you guys ever read fan sites like MGoBlog? Do you take anything you read on there (good or bad) seriously?

I look at it sometimes.

The nice things I take in and other things ignore them

Of all of the uniforms that you wore, which was your favorite? Also, numbers on helmets: yay or nay?

The Michigan state throw backs and under the lights were both my favorite.

Numbers on the helmets yay

What player on Michigan's team do you think is going to break out next season?

I have a couple in mine but we will see.

How is your training for the NFL going (what does it entail) and what are your hopes for where you end up?

Also, what do you think about how Denard's skill set will translate to the professional game?

Thanks for doing this, I look forward to supporting your Kickstarter.

Go Blue!

Training is good and I've been working hard the last mouth in a half to see it pay off with my future plans.

Denard will be find in whatever he does in the professional league.

Thanks,

Go Blue!

Excluding Hoke, who do you think is the best college football coach?

Hoke

What were you thinking as you caught and ran that screen pass in for a late go-ahead touchdown against ND? Was that a play you'd been saving for the right time during the game? Go Blue!

Touchdown and it was in the game plan

Do you eat at Five Guys on state street a lot?

Not healthy

Hi Vincent,

Thank you for all your hard work at Michigan. All the best in the path ahead. Go Blue!

A fellow Michigan Alum.

Thanks.

As a buckeye we have our Mirror Lake Jump before the Michigan game, do you guys have a similar tradition before the game?

Touching our banner before every home game

How does it feel when you watch Sports Center these days? I was super impressed that you just popped up from that hit. How did it stack up in terms of the most painful hits you've taken? Also, as a Michigan fan, thank you for all of the contributions that you've made to our program.

I watched it two times and forgot about and start training.

Thats all apart of the game.

In high school my freshmen year

Thanks

Hey Vincent, I'm a 2006 grad (go blue!). I really loved your tough style of play and I think I saw you at Briarwood Mall once. My question is... Who on the team eats the most?

Richard ash lol

You seemed to come back just as strong after your ACL injury freshman year. How was training to get back into shape for you, and have you departed any of that wisdom on guys like Countess or Wormley as they try to recover from their injuries?

Yes, I talked to those guy and let them know that it takes a lot of mental an physical training trying to recover fast from a ACL injury. Just having your mine set on your goals is key with that.

Forever GO BLUE! Giving back to the community, that is the Michigan difference. Wish you all the best, fellow Wolverine.

Question: Is Denard as goofy and loveable behind the scenes as he is in interviews and what not?

My good friend Denard is a people's person he's the same guy

Hi Vince -

Were there any differences between Coach Barwis and Coach Wellman in terms of the strength and conditioning program the team participated in?

Yes. With Barwis we focused on speed and with Wellman we evened out our focus

Hey Vincent, what was your favorite moment in any UofM football game?

The game when I made history in the big house with a passing TD, rushing TD, and catching TD in the same game.

I applaud your panting project, where I lve Art has been dropped from the curriclum! Parents need someone like you, have you thought of plot programs in other places? I know alot of kids who could benefit from any experience or people who are doing this! Way to go, I used to go to a free program and ended up with a career in graphics and writing.

Thanks eventually I would try to expand this was my first project I came up with to give back. And it's going good so in the future I will try it in other places.

You're one of my more favorite players on the team last season (2012), and while I don't have a specific question for you, thanks for doing this, and being a great player and representative of U of M!

edit: You may want to cross-post this over to /r/cfb, there are TONS of people there who would want to chat with you, both Michigan students and rivals alike!

Thank you working on it.

what's your favorite kind of muffin?

I'm not a muffin eater

Hi Vincent - you have displayed a lot of incredible pass blocking from the running back position. Do you enjoy blocking and take pride in that aspect of the game? How do you think you've become such an effective blocker at your size?

I have the killer instinct. Lol

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Stay humble and remember all the things you did to get you at this point and pick the best school that you want to attend.

Mr. Smith I want to thank you for all the excitement you have given me and my dad watching you over the years. I also would get in to arguments with my dad about who would should be the starting back (me always saying you were the true starter). Thank you so much for choosing michigan. Also what advice would you give a football player for off season lifting rutines?

I loved the minnesota game where you scored three ways.

Thank you and the advice would be work harder during your off season because its where you become great.

If the rams ever give you a try out I St Louis my family would love to have you over for dinner.

If I'm fortunate enough to visit the Rams then I will take you up on your offer.

What was your major in college?

Minor in sociology and African American studies. Thinking about going back for my masters in Sociology.

Are you new to reddit or have you been around a while? Come check us out in /r/cfb (college football)

Been lurking and I will check it out

How much do the players care about uniforms?

We care about them a lot look good play good.

So as a big Michigan fan, I live nearby..and I tailgate every home game! ( I am not usually lucky enough to get tickets often though) I just want to say GO BLUE and thank you for being on our team :)

But I should ask a question so.. How did it feel to play for a school like U of M? It seems like such prestigous team to be a part of and I am just wondering if it felt that way, or if it just felt like another football team.

I can't even explain how good it felt being able to play for the winningest college football team and putting on that wing helmet. It was a honor also to play in a stadium with over a 100 thousand fan every home game.

I love that you are promoting art in Pahokee. Couldn't be prouder of the way UM players are continuing to make a difference off the field.

So, as for questions.....I always loved how you were repeatedly named as the toughest guy on the team, no matter how many pounds other guys might have had over you. Who, in your estimation, will inherit that title now that you've graduated?

Thanks I bleed blue so

Go Blue!!

Gonna miss having you in the backfield. Only hope to see more of you running over people in the pros! As far as a question, which game was most memorable for you?

Notre Dame under the lights hands down

I really hope not all the questions asked will be about the Clowney hit, but damn.

Lol

Just wanted to say Go Blue!

Go blue!!

Thoughts on Manti Teo?

Great athlete

I just have to ask if any other stadiums compare to the Big House when you can see the crowd from the field? Also, will you be selling your personal artwork after the Kickstarter program?

No other stadium can compare to the Big House

I've been thing about but I'll sell some other paintings when I have time.

Vincent, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the pink visitor's locker rooms in Kinnick Stadium.

I guest they put them there to intimidate but it doesn't bother me.

Was there one team that you have liked to play against and scheduling never allowed it?

I would've like to played some Florida teams.

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It's all good my man

Don't worry about weight I eat right, run fast, and stay in shape.

Skip

We all where brought up different so hard work and dedication.

It's a TD most of the time

Thanks

If you had to chose one...

Zingermans or Maize and Blue?

Also favorite burger place in town?

I have never been to Zingermans

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Brown Jug is up on the list, there's a lot of stuff and depends on what I feel like.

What kind of painting do you do and what contemporary painters do you like? I have to admit I have no idea who you are, but I went to art school and all I see here are football questions :).

I paint what I am inspired by and paint with acrylics. I like Adam Gabriel Winnie's series of portraits he did recently.

Ricks or Skeeps?

neither

Yo Vincent, I was attending Michigan when I saw you play your Freshman year. You looked fucking fantastic that year (you have since been one of my favorite players at Michigan along with D. Rob) and then you unfortunately had that nasty injury. I don't want to be a dick or anything, but it seemed like that injury slowed you down a little bit the year after because.... you didn't look as fast? I don't know how to say this without sounding like a massive douche, but do you think that injury after your freshman year slowed you down a little bit?

It was a problem at time but I love the game and wanted to be on the field. But I played with a chip on my folder . And I came back to help in any way I can for my team.

How come so many kids from The Muck, except for a couple here and there, want to go ANYWHERE but UMiami?

We had one but ask UMiami

do you have to wrap your feet when you play and workout?

Ankles taped yea I have to.

Where do you rank yourself amongst the backs coming out this year?

Who's the most overrated and underrated back in the draft?

Edit: One more: which college coaching hire was the best this offseason. Who'll pan out the quickest as well as the best in the long term?

Ive Been working hard and i feel its going to pay off.

I'm not the type of guy that talks about other people's skills

Why do black people say smith like this: smiwff?

It's a southern accent