LIFE AFTER NFL

Robert Smith was the NFC's top rusher in 2000 with more than 1,500 yards. The Minnesota Vikings came within a game of the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. He was 28, a free agent-to-be at the height of his earning power. And just like that, Smith walked away from professional football.
Smith was rarely seen or heard from since he quit, but he has resurfaced this summer to talk about his soon-to-be-available autobiography, "The Rest of the Iceberg: An Insider's View on the World of Sport and Celebrity."
Smith's interests and intellect certainly stood out in the macho world of pro sports. Fascinating to some, condescending to others, Smith was undeniably unique.
"Our society needs to stop focusing on athletes as role models or as being heroes."
"They'd rather take the shortcut and take what you hear and believe at face value," Smith said. "It's easy to do, but it can be very misleading."
Smith learned that the shortcut wasn't the best way in life and has now written a book expressing how he feels about his professional football life and what he has done in life after the NFL.

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