Jaylon Smith

By Hillary Knipstein |

by Zachary Briggs, Visual Prime

Many would say that Jaylon Smith, a Fort Wayne native and Dallas Cowboys linebacker, has “made it.” Smith, however, is just getting started. And football is only part of his story.

His Path

Smith’s journey started at Bishop Luers High School. While he excelled as a three-sport athlete, Smith was (literally) “Mr. Football” and recipient of the prestigious Butkus Award as the country’s top high school linebacker.

At the University of Notre Dame, he enjoyed the same success. During his junior year, he received the Butkus Award (again) as the country’s top college linebacker and was elected captain of the football team. After suffering a devastating knee injury at the Fiesta Bowl in 2016, Smith decided to forego his NCAA eligibility and join the NFL draft.

Despite uncertainty about the extent of nerve damage in his injured knee, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Smith in the second round of 2016. He completed his rookie season in 2017 and has never looked back….except this spring, for the 21 credit hours he needed to finish his degree. In May, Smith graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in Film and Television, fulfilling his promise to his mother.

Not

Just Mr. Football

Smith’s contributions go beyond the football field. He’s reaching back to help the next generation achieve their dreams--whether they’re athletic or professional.

Smith and his brother host an annual “Earn Your Stripes” football camp for Fort Wayne youth. Last year, he worked with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne and Parkview Sports Medicine to bring Active Science programming to local youth.

Smith is also passionate about entrepreneurship. He is particularly excited about the launch of the Jaylon Smith Minority Entrepreneurship Institute (MEI), which he created to “to help close the economic and educational gap in minority communities.” Specifically, he wants to address the gap for minority entrepreneurs in terms of available resources for funding, mentorship and strategic planning.

Supported by heavy hitters like the National Christian Foundation and the Sagamore Institute, MEI will host venture pitch competitions around the world to make impact investments in minorityowned businesses.

On July 12, the MEI will host an Indiana Showcase in Fort Wayne. Five entrepreneurs will pitch business ideas to notable community entrepreneurs and investors in a Shark-Tank style competition. The stated goal is to invest a total of $300,000 into the contest’s three winners in the first year.

Smith hopes that MEI will provide tools for minority entrepreneurs to thrive, and a vehicle for connecting them with high-quality investors. “I recognize that access to relationships and networks matter.” Smith said. “I want to provide that access to people who look like me.” a