The Spartanburg Vikings feature one of the most stacked defensive units of all our local teams. While this could be said of any player, particularly in the secondary, it’s doubtless that one of the key contributors to that defense’s ‘nasty factor’ is senior Linebacker/Safety Cam’Rich Smith.
Cam had a bit of a later start than usual to his football career. As a child, he dealt with a chronic condition that prevented him from starting youth sports until he was in 4th grade.
“I couldn’t play football for the first few years of my life due to a chronic nosebleed. My nose would just randomly start gushing blood out of the blue and the Doctors never knew why. So, they would not allow me to play sports until I was in the 4th grade. That was when I played my first football game. I played running back, because I like Marshawn Lynch and wanted to be just like him”, said Smith.
Cam definitely has one thing in common with his childhood hero – he strives to be the best at his position, and despite being introverted, carries a strong quiet confidence about him.
“I’m not really a talkative person. I play the role of the leader on the defense, but I don’t like to talk. I would rather sit back and listen. I have gotten better at verbally leading, but it is not really my thing. I just started getting my confidence junior year and now I honestly feel like I can step out there with anybody”, he said with a tone that perfectly exemplifies the whole statement.
His confident demeanor is complimented perfectly by his work ethic and drive to be the best in everything he does.
“It’s easy to coach Cam because he strives to do things right. He doesn’t get caught up in the noise and focuses on being the best he can be. He has high expectations for himself, his teammates, and his team. He thrives off the pressure of preparation and competition. He’s extremely intelligent, he elevates everybody around him, and he takes responsibility for his decisions. There is nothing not to like about him. We always stress to give those that oppose you nothing bad to say about you. That is Cam. To know him is to love him. His sincerity, care, concern for himself and others – all are rare traits for someone his age. For sure, he makes me a better coach and person”, said Spartanburg Head Coach Mark Hodge.
Where does Cam get his work ethic and his drive from? He is quick to credit Hodge and his staff as well as the example his mother set for him.
“I love that Coach Hodge is more of a father than just a coach. He actually cares – and not just about football. He helps me in every aspect of life. Coaches Bailey and Mariable won’t allow anything but greatness out of me. Even if sometimes I don’t understand what they’re doing, I listen because I know they are guiding me on the right path. But, my biggest motivator was growing up and seeing my mom get up everyday and go to work to make sure I had everything I needed or wanted without ever making an excuse. She inspired me to never make excuses and just go work to this day”, said Smith.
All of the effort he has put in has paid off in the form of a Division 1 offer. Back on August 18th, Cam committed to North Carolina Central University.
“Since I first spoke with NC Central, I could tell they were really interested in my game. When I went to visit in April, they treated me like I was family. Coach Oliver didn’t just talk football with me. He told me that he cares more about me becoming a man while I am there and leaving with something – just like Coach Hodge. I felt I couldn’t miss this opportunity to play for a great man like this.”
That opportunity comes with a chance to prepare for a life beyond football, as Cam says he wants to study sport management with an end goal to work in the business side of sports after graduation.
Cam’Rich not only strives for greatness on the field – he also looks to be a source of inspiration while doing it, which also is a big part of his motivation to be the best he can be.
“I want to get better everyday. I want to show kids that your size, situation, circumstances, or none of that matters. You can be great with determination. I would like to stress to the young ones out there to enjoy it while you’re young and have fun because you can’t get it back. As you grow into this sport, it becomes more business-like, so have fun while you can and when you get to high school, don’t stress about the offers. Keep going and perfecting your craft and getting better. If you are who you want to be, I promise they {college coaches} will come and find you”, he said.
So, aside from being a hardworking and motivated person, what else is there to know about Cam? Turns out there is a lot more to his character than meets the eye.
“Cam is an alpha competitor and a first-class person. We have a quote on our locker room wall – “Do all things in love.” This is Cam. He is humble and loves the person God created him to be and he works passionately to be the very best version of that person. He loves his family, He loves his teammates. He loves his school. He loves his coaches. He loves his friends. He loves football. He loves to work. He does all things in love”, said Coach Hodge.
Cam also takes his competitiveness off the field. Like many teens, he enjoys hanging with his friends and playing video games or pickup sports, finding ways to make even small things into a contest – a chemistry and camaraderie that no doubt carries over onto the gridiron.
“I enjoy hanging out with the guys outside of football. We play video games, basketball, anything. We are competitive, so anything we do can turn into a real contest where a fist fight could happen. But, it is all in love. We have known each other for so long that we know everything about each other. We are like brothers. I love suiting up with them every Friday night because we’ve all been playing with each other since we were little. It was our dream to be able to play in front of the crowds with the gold helmets shining. The fact we actually get to do it every week – it’s surreal”, said Smith.
As Coach Hodge mentioned, Cam loves his family, who have also been a huge part of his success. His mom was the source of inspiration for his work ethic, but she has also been a huge support for him.
“I live with my mom, Carmelle McDowell and my Stepdad Corey Haney. They support me so much, being at every game, practice, school function, etc. Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. They’re there and they are my biggest fans. I could not ask for two better people to have in my corner. I also have four sisters that are protective over me and vice versa, and just like my parents, they support me”, he said.
Cam says that his most fond sports memory up to this point happened last season in the Vikings’ last-minute victory over Dutch Fork on the road, when he logged a game-winning strip sack. He says it felt like something out of a movie and that he hopes to create more moments like that this year. You can catch Smith and the Vikings every Friday night here on Fox Sports Spartanburg.
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