Cardinal Hall of Honor
A legend during his playing days, Tom Smiley was Lamar University’s premier fullback during the 1965, 1966 and 1967 seasons, and also earned the same role in the Southland Conference.
Smiley, who played at 242 pounds, finished second on Lamar’s all-time rushing list with 1,781 yards. He led the Cardinals in rushing in 1965 with 542 yards and in 1967 with 890 yards – also the second-best year by any Lamar player.
Smiley was All-Southland Conference in 1966 and 1967 and was named to the league’s first all-decade team covering the years from 1964 through 1973. In 1967, Smiley rushed for 100 or more yards in four games, with a high of 187 yards against McNeese State. He is the only Lamar player to be selected to play in the North-South game and the Senior Bowl, both in 1967. Smiley, a devastating blocker, was the second player drafted by the expansion Cincinnati Bengals. He also played for the Denver Broncos and Houston Oilers.
