Cody Smith excels on and off the field at South Oak Cliff

DALLAS — When purpose leads you, each step feels bigger.

“It's more of an assignment you have,” said Cody Smith, South Oak Cliff High School football player. “It’s more of a responsibility game now.”

Smith embraces that responsibility because it’s what he was taught. “My dad was good. He made sure to be disciplined. Always school first,” said Smith.

He also learned many lessons from his mother. “Oh yeah, she was softer than him, but same as him, school first,” said Smith.

Their impact weighs heavier than any words can tell because at 10 years old, Smith’s mother passed away from pancreatic cancer. A few years later, his father died from heart issues. WFAA asked Smith what keeps him pushing through. He simply shrugged his shoulder to say he didn’t know.

Credit: Cody Smith

Credit: WF