An NFL Farewell

COLTON >> Colton High School (CHS) held a community celebration last week as a special send-off for alumnus Jimmy Smith, who is getting ready for a new season as cornerback with the Baltimore Ravens. The event took place April 7 in the CHS Whitmer Auditorium. School and city officials as well as community members attended this free program to thank Smith for his contributions to his high school and hometown. Smith presented his alma mater with a Super Bowl golden football in March at a smaller ceremony attended by school and district administrators, Smith’s family and friends, former coaches and members of the CHS football team. The April 7 event gave the entire community an opportunity to share in the experience. Smith graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures with excited fans at the event. The golden footballs are part of the celebration of the Super Bowl’s High School Honor Roll. In honor of the Super Bowl’s 50th anniversary this year, NFL players who participated in a Super Bowl are given golden footballs to present to their high schools. More than 2,000 schools are being honored in this program. Smith played in Super Bowl XLVII for the Ravens, who bested the San Francisco 49ers for the Super Bowl championship that year. Smith’s individual efforts in the final minutes of the game helped the Ravens win. Smith graduated from Colton High in 2006. He went on to college at the University of Colorado at Boulder and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011.