"We're all Diamonds In the Rough"
A diamond has to be dug up, refined, and then polished!
Like a diamond, we have to get to the core of ourselves, educate
ourselves, and polish ourselves in order to fulfill our destiny and
shine bright to inspire others!
-Leroy Smith
A diamond has to be dug up, refined, and then polished!
Like a diamond, we have to get to the core of ourselves, educate
ourselves, and polish ourselves in order to fulfill our destiny and
shine bright to inspire others!
-Leroy Smith
Leroy Smith
founder
Leroy Smith -
FSU DB from (2000-2004)
Leroy Smith was born and raised in the city of Quincy, FL. Inspired by the late great Walter Payton, Smith told his mom he would play in the NFL. Although Smith came from a family of educators and athletes, He saw limited opportunities and resources within his community. He believed knowledge and hard work would increase his chances.
Leroy was an accurate representation of a student-athlete. He was a standout in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field throughout grade school. Smith also excelled academically. He was a member of the National Honors Society, Science Club, and several other organizations during grade school. Over the summer, Smith worked for the City of Quincy at the pool. Smith credits his high school experience to his notable accomplishments in leadership, accountability, and time management skills. After a stellar junior and senior football season, Smith became one of the country's most highly recruited football players. Then Smith's dream school and historic coach offered him a scholarship. The Legendary Bobby Bowden offered him a full scholarship to attend Florida State University. With no hesitation, Smith committed!
At FSU, Smith excelled on and off the field. Playing defensive back for the Seminoles, Smith received the Golden Nole award as a sophomore. He leads the team in turnovers as a junior. As a senior, he was a coach. Off the field, Smith continuously volunteered in the community and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science with a minor in Anthropology.
After college, he fulfilled his childhood dream of making it to the NFL. In 2005, Leroy signed a contract to play with the Chicago Bears. Mr. Smith's professional football career consisted of playing with the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Storm, Utah Blaze, and the Milwaukee Mustangs. He always made it back to the Big Bend Area to give back to the community during the offseason. After six years of playing professional football, he returned to Quincy, FL, to fulfill his passion for working with the kids. He not only wanted to inspire the youth, but he also wanted to provide more resources to help them maximize their potential.
Smith’s passion laid the foundation for his non-profit organization, Diamonds in the Rough Sports, Education, and Entertainment. Every summer, Smith would have community enrichment camps and clinics to help fulfill his purpose. Recognized for his excellent work, Smith was offered a teaching position at West Gadsden High School. He took the job and did outstanding. Smith helped the students increase their learning proficiency by 70 percent in Social Studies and Civics and received the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award. He also began his coaching career, where he instilled techniques and fundamentals to help many youths make it to the next level.
While coaching at his Alma Marta, James A. Shanks High School, he produced the best boys' middle school track team in north Florida. He was offered the head football coaching job at Jefferson County.
While in Jefferson County, Smith brought the program back to dominance. They made the playoffs in his first season while the kid's grades increased. Smith became the first coach in history to take a public character district school to the playoffs. His second year was legendary! He took the Tigers to the third round of the playoffs, where they have not been in seven years. He was honored as FACA Coach of the Year, producing this sudden success! Not only did Smith change the program, but he also helped provide each senior with the opportunity to go to college. His efforts were honored throughout Florida by the Department of Education.
Today, Smith is still impacting the youth throughout the entire country through his Diamonds in the Rough foundation. He is blessed with three beautiful kids, Alondre Smith, Alondria Smith, and Elian Smith.
Leroy was an accurate representation of a student-athlete. He was a standout in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field throughout grade school. Smith also excelled academically. He was a member of the National Honors Society, Science Club, and several other organizations during grade school. Over the summer, Smith worked for the City of Quincy at the pool. Smith credits his high school experience to his notable accomplishments in leadership, accountability, and time management skills. After a stellar junior and senior football season, Smith became one of the country's most highly recruited football players. Then Smith's dream school and historic coach offered him a scholarship. The Legendary Bobby Bowden offered him a full scholarship to attend Florida State University. With no hesitation, Smith committed!
At FSU, Smith excelled on and off the field. Playing defensive back for the Seminoles, Smith received the Golden Nole award as a sophomore. He leads the team in turnovers as a junior. As a senior, he was a coach. Off the field, Smith continuously volunteered in the community and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science with a minor in Anthropology.
After college, he fulfilled his childhood dream of making it to the NFL. In 2005, Leroy signed a contract to play with the Chicago Bears. Mr. Smith's professional football career consisted of playing with the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Storm, Utah Blaze, and the Milwaukee Mustangs. He always made it back to the Big Bend Area to give back to the community during the offseason. After six years of playing professional football, he returned to Quincy, FL, to fulfill his passion for working with the kids. He not only wanted to inspire the youth, but he also wanted to provide more resources to help them maximize their potential.
Smith’s passion laid the foundation for his non-profit organization, Diamonds in the Rough Sports, Education, and Entertainment. Every summer, Smith would have community enrichment camps and clinics to help fulfill his purpose. Recognized for his excellent work, Smith was offered a teaching position at West Gadsden High School. He took the job and did outstanding. Smith helped the students increase their learning proficiency by 70 percent in Social Studies and Civics and received the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award. He also began his coaching career, where he instilled techniques and fundamentals to help many youths make it to the next level.
While coaching at his Alma Marta, James A. Shanks High School, he produced the best boys' middle school track team in north Florida. He was offered the head football coaching job at Jefferson County.
While in Jefferson County, Smith brought the program back to dominance. They made the playoffs in his first season while the kid's grades increased. Smith became the first coach in history to take a public character district school to the playoffs. His second year was legendary! He took the Tigers to the third round of the playoffs, where they have not been in seven years. He was honored as FACA Coach of the Year, producing this sudden success! Not only did Smith change the program, but he also helped provide each senior with the opportunity to go to college. His efforts were honored throughout Florida by the Department of Education.
Today, Smith is still impacting the youth throughout the entire country through his Diamonds in the Rough foundation. He is blessed with three beautiful kids, Alondre Smith, Alondria Smith, and Elian Smith.
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"I believe everyone is born with genius level-talent. Apply
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