"The win over Memphis was big; we were wanting to go out and have fun, so we decided to go to Nashville. The bad decision I made was getting in that car.''Tyler Smith
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Former Tennessee basketball player Tyler Smith said he's not ready to stop being a different volunteer.
"The hardest thing for me right now is I can't go back and put on that orange jersey,'' Smith said Friday after being dismissed from the team following his arrest on a misdemeanor weapons charge on New Year's Day. "But I'm still going to be a volunteer in the community. The way I look at it, I can still help out, the boys and girls clubs, the habitat for humanity . . . whatever I can do.''
Smith, who was in a rental car with three teammates when it was stopped for speeding with two handguns and marijuana, said he has been advised by his lawyer, Don Bosch, not to discuss the specifics of his case.
"I can't speak on the guns issue, because at this point it's in the legal process,'' Smith said. "The win over Memphis was big; we were wanting to go out and have fun, so we decided to go to Nashville. The bad decision I made was getting in that car.''
Smith confirmed he had been robbed last year, but he declined to elaborate and said it doesn't relate to the case.
"I know there are some people who will just judge me off this (incident), and everyone is entitled to their opinion,'' Smith said. "I just want to make this right in whatever way possible.''
Smith, 23, said the week that has passed since his arrest has been difficult.
"It's been emotionally draining, and I haven't been able to get any rest because I'm worried about my teammates,'' he said. "I'm not worried about me, I'll be fine. But I let them down, I let the university down, and I let my son down.''
Smith's 3 1/2-year-old son, Amare, lives near Nashville with his mother. Smith said in June he was passing on going professional in part because if he wasn't drafted into the NBA, he would likely have had to go to overseas to play professionally.
"I've never really had enough time to spend with Amare,'' Smith said.
But in light of the recent events, Smith plans to pursue a pro career in Europe to support his son.
An NBA scout said Smith's prospects of getting drafted have dimmed since his arrest.
Smith said he's confident he can find a team overseas, however, and he's more concerned with the damage done to his image.
"I'm very sorry about what happened, and if I could take it back, man, I would,'' Smith said. "I want to restore my name and become something special that Tennessee can be proud of.''
Smith said he owes a debt of gratitude to the Tennessee fans and the Knoxville community.
"When my father passed (September, 2007), there were more people talking to me about life than whether we'd make it to the Final Four,'' Smith said. "I felt their support from the time I stepped on the court in the Rocky Top League the first summer I was here.
"My main goal is finishing up school and graduating - this is the real Tyler; I'm not crazy, hurting or robbing people,'' he said. "I want to clear my name, but I know it will take time. I made a bad decision, and I'm sorry.''
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Comments » 135
vet4ut writes:
Learn from it, take care of your son.
GBO
CoverOrange writes:
Personal protection. Makes perfect sense except for the part of where he got the protection.
Orangeblood13 writes:
people make mistakes my friend,keep your word, try to be better
your always Orange
TommyJack writes:
I say Good Luck to the man.
Southland writes:
I am very proud of this statement and it grieves me that it came to this. Tyler was a hometown boy that brought pride to everyone in Pulaski Tennessee and the little community his grandparents and dad lived on. It is a special place and I hurt for all of his relatives that were so proud of him. Work hard Tyler. Regaining your name after you soiled it is hard but it can be done.
vol_chaz writes:
We'll miss you Tyler.
aoneil66 writes:
You made a mistake, Tyler. Looks like you are already learning from it. Good luck and god bless.
TennesseeTuxedo writes:
The bad decision was made before you got into the car. It is a shame that Tyler Smith chose to be remembered as a criminal.
Ironcity writes:
Good luck Tyler in the long run I think this experience will serve you well.
papabearmaples writes:
Good luck to you Tyler. Way to own up to it. Good things tend to come out of tough situations if we can keep a good attitude and learn from our mistakes. It is so sad that a seemingly little choice would have such a dramtic and terrible impact. Hope the other guys can learn from this too. Take care of your son. God's best to you.
UrbanCryer writes:
everyone is sorry....when they get caught. just sayin
golfin_blondie writes:
Good luck Tyler and I am sure that you will always be a Vol. Take care of your family and I do wish you the best. Just remember this experience if in the future the same situation presents itself. Everybody makes mistakes it is what you do afterwards that makes you a man! May God be with you!
AFTiger writes:
He can put on an orange jersey in jail, with orange pants, too.
orangevolz writes:
Good luck Tyler. You made a big mistake and you are paying for it. Most UT fans will forgive you, but it may take some time.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
Good luck Tyler. I'm with you 100%.
Namarian writes:
I love UT sports and i have no pity for Tyler and the others. What they did hurts the team and the school. If we have a bad season the school loses ticket sales, tv coverage and much more. Most of us fans would love to have the chance these men have been given and to throw it away for a blunt is just stupid. Hope that joint was worth it guys.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
He is really sorry. Get off his back....
MTSUVOL writes:
Tyler, lean not upon your on understanding, but lean and trust upon the LORD. The LORD will not forsake you.
The best thing you can do if you haven't already is to obey the gospel of Christ.
10acvolfan writes:
Way to stand by the decisions you make.Once a Vol always a Vol
dma38256#264746 writes:
Best of luck Tyler. I don't believe you had bad intentions. Everybody makes bad judgements sometimes.
UTfan4life2 writes:
Great guy, great player. He is one of the players I have truly liked because of his attitude. I wish him the best of luck, and he will most certainly whind up in the NBA soon enough.
Good luck Tyler, you will always be remembered.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Best wishes to you, Ty. Make better decisions from here on out.
Smallmike4pres writes:
What happened to the good ole days when the police would just give these guys a good talking to & call the coach to come pick them up at the station? We need some more alumni on the KPD.
All_Vol writes:
He definitely made a mistake but it sounds like his mind and heart are in the right place. I do believe he will go on to do good things.
Dont lump him or the others in this incident with those knucklehead freshman football players. Simply apples and oranges.
beachvol1 writes:
You are a real winner....not saying he did anything right, but who are you to judge, Mr. Perfect....why not pour some more salt in the wound....what a loser with that statement
byrd4vols writes:
Hope you meet someone special in prison.I here tattooing is free also.
Brillovol writes:
Stupid comment.
Either way, his life will be better if he truly learns from this tough time.
Make us pround in your future endeavors, Tyler!
khelton657 writes:
Do you really think this was the first / only time he was around drugs and guns ?
utvolfan98 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
etrent writes:
I am sure you have never made a bad decision before or are you perfect? Put yourself in his shoes!
khelton657 writes:
Most people are when they lose a million $$
Brillovol writes:
Come to think of it, we've got a few punks on here.
byrd4vols writes:
Are you referring to the basketball team?
byrd4vols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Brillovol writes:
I'm referring to the mindless "fans" such as yourself who spew worthless drivel on articles such as these. You people have the right to be aggrivated at the situation and the bad press on our school, but to attack someone personally who you don't even know is the epitome of coward!
volpreacher writes:
I've know Tyler since he was about 10 years old and know that he is a good kid (young man). I think he is remorseful and I think he realizes the mistake he made. I also think he didn't chose wisely and perhaps gotten mixed up with the wrong people. I wish him well and will not throw him to the wolves. People like you are so stupid, I wonder how you are able to function in this world.
By the way, everyone hit the suggest removal on this idiot. I did.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
Makes me sad. As a volunteer I never wanted you out but thanks for stepping up. We learn and live. God bless and good luck. Shoot for the stars. Guns don't get it. You are a volunteer and this volunteer still loves you.
volpreacher writes:
choose not chose. sorry. I type like that when I'm angry at people who have no idea.
CapStormfield_1 (Inactive) writes:
I, for one, was impressed with his statement. Of course, there is always the possibility that he doesn't mean it, that he didn't even really say it and he's just 'playing' the regular folks.
But why not accept him at his word? Heck, I'd be crying and kicking and stomping for being so stupid. At least this kid seems ready to move on to the next phase. Good for him!
SeanJean writes:
I'm proud to hear this statement. Best of luck to you Tyler. We're all pulling for you.
vol_4_fan writes:
Best of luck Tyler and may God Bless you and yours. Another point, some of you posters need some Prayers and soul searching yourself after reading some of these comments!
LiveFaith writes:
Daniel Boone carried a non registered weapon on his person and his vehicle without any serial number. He's a hero and his rifle toting likeness runs around our football stadium during games.
The guy is also 23 years old (should have graduated already, BTW). If he takes a drug called alcohol it's called happy hour etc. But, if it's a drug called THC, then it's a crime.
The world is a strange place.
running_dog writes:
Thanks Tyler for everything. We've all made mistakes and the most important thing is to learn from them.
Good luck and God bless you and your family in every aspect of y'alls life. Take care of your son first and foremost. Best wishes and thanks again.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Godspeed to you Tyler!
UTfan4life2 writes:
urbangayaffair is a tool. Ignore him he will go away.
volsoutlaw writes:
I'm tired of this people make mistakes B.S.
He is 23 yrs old, and carried/took with him 2 guns. He has tattoos associated with gang on his face (2 tear drops) and he expects people to give him a pass. Grow up and take responsibility for yourself and quit making excuses. I love how society gives everyone a free pass on everything. I grew up hunting and own plenty of guns. None have filed off serial numbers, and I never take them on road trips with my buddies, even when I was 12 I knew carrying a loaded gun around was trouble. Add in the fact you just witnessed a high profile incident occur with players on the football team. He is full of b.s. and he needs to be held accountable for his ignorance.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Way to come with the compassion and understanding there. I'm assuming, based on your post, you never made any bad decisions in your long and illustrious life. "just sayin'".
May God bless you, Tyler. Keep your head up and show the naysayers you can get the ship righted again. As others have said, it's important now to take care of your son and show him the right example going forward. Always a Vol, young man.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Being a tigger fan you would know about that stuff, huh?
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Good post, bama.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
doh writes:
I agree. A mistake was made and he owned up to it. It is people like this that are pathetic.
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