Ladies
and gentlemen:
We know Jim Smith is a good quarterback. Anyone who has
had the pleasure of watching him on the field for even a few moments recognizes
his true talents: speed, agility, strength. But what many of you may not know
is what Jim Smith has had to overcome to not only make the team, but also
make it to college.
Jim has not always been the strapping, strong young
man you see before you tonight. Not long ago, Jim was struggling to not only
walk, but to stand without any help. You see, Jim had the unfortunate luck
of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Just days after graduating
from high school, Jim was felled by a speeding car. To look at him now, you'd
be forgiven for thinking it would have to be a pretty fast car, or a pretty
big bus to mow him down! But he worked hard to achieve the strength he now
displays on the field. And it's that strength -- strength of character even
more than physical strength -- that we are honoring tonight.
Ladies
and gentleman, it's my great pleasure to present this award to Jim Smith,
this school's most deserving quarterback -- and all-round inspiration to us
all.