NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith stopped by Kempsville Middle School today to serve as the guest speaker for the school’s President’s Award for Educational Excellence ceremony. Smith, who was the number one draft pick in 1985 and went on to play in the NFL for 19 seasons – 15 with the Buffalo Bills; 4 with the Washington Redskins, encouraged students to challenge themselves.
“Be the best you can possibly be,” Smith said. “Work hard. Study hard. Make good decisions. You make good decisions and your’re focused; good things happen.”
Smith also told the students that they are the author of the book of their life – they are writing their life’s story with every decision they make.
“How do you want that book to be written?” Smith asked. “As you’re writing your book, as you’re telling your story, make it a best seller.”
Smith is a Hampton Roads local. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Va., and then went on to play football at Virginia Tech before being recruited to the NFL.