COLUMBUS, Miss. (CMSD) – Columbus Municipal School District Board of Trustees President Robert Smith learned two things early in life... Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) have a lot of athletic talent and when momma calls you listen.
He has seen segregation, playing time at Mississippi Valley State University, Hall of Fame competition, NFL tryouts, and coaching high school players.
It is a unique story that almost did not happen. Now, he will soon be a Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
Smith was part of the 1970 and first integrated Lee High School football team, in Columbus, that went 9-0 and were North Big 8 champions. It was Smith’s senior year. It was also the first time any school in the “Friendly City” had ever gone undefeated. In the summer of 1970, all African Americans that lived on the northside of the city had to go to Lee High. African Americans that lived on the city’s southside or in the county went to Caldwell High.
He was a defensive tackle for famed coach Billy Brewer. As an All-American and All Big 8 player, Smith went on to become the Defensive MVP of the North-South All-Star game.
Smith also had scholarship offers from Southwestern Athletic Conference schools such as Texas Southern and Grambling State.
“Your SEC schools, predominately white schools (at the time), were not really recruiting black athletes at that time, but the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) was strong at that time…. In the 1970’s,” recalled Smith.
After high school, Smith wanted to travel the country as a truck driver and travel the country, skipping an opportunity to play at East Mississippi Community College.
Later he learned that truck driving wasn’t for him.
However, Smith’s mother convinced her son of a new path.
“My momma told me “There’s a lot of people that wished they had the opportunity and talent that you have that can go to school and get a free education. I don’t have the money to send you to school and then you’re just going to blow that. You are hard-headed and won’t listen. There’s something up the road for people like that.” You know, in the African American community when an elder tells you that it means you are headed for trouble. So, I told momma that if she would let me use her phone, I would call the schools,” remembered Smith.
Smith made several calls to schools but the only coach he got on the phone that day was at MVSU. Davis Weathersby told him, “Smitty you were supposed to be here last week”. So, Smith left for MVSU the next day.
He says Itta Bena is the hottest place on Earth in the Summer and the coldest place on Earth in the winter.
“Once you leave high school, you have competition just as good or better than you. You have to compete,” said Smith.
On that football field in the Mississippi Delta, Smith faced future Hall of Fame running back Walter Peyton, along with future NFL players Doug Williams, James “Shack” Harris, and Robert Brazile.
Smith played outside-weak linebacker, where he started as a freshman, earning Most Valuable Freshman. He later earned 1st Team All-SWAC honors during his collegiate career.
After a chance reunion with Coach Brewer, Smith almost took a high school coaching job in south Louisiana after college.
That’s when momma called again, wanting her son to return home and to Lee High. The principal at the time asked her to speak to Smith about returning to his high school alma mater as a defensive line coach. Although Brewer told Smith a job was waiting for him, he ended up paying for his former player’s bus ticket home.
“She said, “these people are wanting you to come back and work.” I tried to tell her that I already had a job and that’s when she reminded me that I needed transportation and she wouldn’t co-sign with me on a car loan unless I came home. So, I said “yes, momma” but the hardest thing was for me to tell Coach Brewer,” said Smith.
“Coach Brewer told me, “Robert Earl, I will always take care of you as long as you are here, but I won’t talk against your momma and she wants you to come back home”, Smith remembered.
Smith coached at Lee High from 1975-1983. He even tried out with the Cleveland Browns in the summer of ‘76. The former educator made it past the first cut but not the final roster.
Smith then set his sights on the administrative work of education. He was an assistant principal at Joe Cook for nine years before moving to West Lowndes Middle School.
Smith served on the CMSD Board of Trustees from 1998-2001. Then he served as a city councilman for four years before running for mayor. He served as mayor from 2006-2021.
Smith believes success in athletics can lead to academic success.
“Academics always come first. I just believe the discipline taught in athletics from coaches returns as discipline in the classroom. You must have discipline in both areas or you don’t have a winning team. Everyone wants to be part of a winning team and how schools are perceived,” said Smith.
In its most recent announcement of honorees, the Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame Executive Board announced Smith as an inductee.
“It’s an honor and a privilege. I’m elated to be a recipient. There are a lot of good athletes from Lowndes County,” said Smith.
The Hall of Fame banquet will be on April 17, 2026 from 6-9 PM at the Trotter Convention Center. You can buy tickets at lowndescountysportshalloffame.com
Other inductees are Billy Ray Adams, Samye Johnson, Tommy Lott Jr., Oliver Miller, Aubrey Nichols, Derek Sherrod, and James “T” Thomas.
