DeVonta Smith is growing as one of the best young wide receivers in the National Football League.
He assisted the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl LVII in his second year in the pros. Smith recorded his first 1,000+ yard season, totaling 95 catches for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished ninth in the league for receivers in yards and became the first player in the history of the BCS and CFP era to record 100+ yards receiving in a national championship game and a Super Bowl. The Louisiana native got selected at No. 10 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft after an incredible career at the University of Alabama. He became the program’s all-time leader for receptions (235), receiving yards (3,965), and touchdowns (46). Smith won the Heisman Memorial Trophy in 2020, becoming the first Tide receiver to win the honor.
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People poked fun at Smith’s small frame (6-0/170), but his discipline in nutrition has made him elite.
In an interview with CBS Mornings, the former two-time College Football Playoff National Champion explained why the proper diet and getting enough fruit intake are pivotal to his success.
“Nutrition is everything to stay healthy and to continue to play the game you love to play”: @DeVontaSmith_6 and sports nutritionist Kelly Jones say eating well looks different for each athlete — but finding the right fuel can make a huge difference in performance and confidence. pic.twitter.com/Fmq9qNg2yh
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 16, 2023
“Nutrition is everything to stay healthy and continue to play the game you love,” Smith said. “If you are not eating right, it is going to be hard to continue doing the things you like.”
Smith said he learned the importance of eating healthy during his first NFL season.
“I was always a person that did not believe in healthy eating,” he said. “As I started to play, my body started feeling better when I started changing how I eat. I see it makes a big difference.”
Smith did not look human with the plays he made for the Crimson Tide, and his new eating habits in the NFL make him exceptional in the Eagles’ offense.
“I am not a heavy eater before games,” he said. “I will eat some fruit, and I’ll call it a day.”
He did not go into the type of fruits he eats before games, but the thought of fruit alone helped Smith produce six 100-yard performances in 2022 — including 100 yards in the Super Bowl — is incredible. He is going to have more young athletes consider their diet in the league going forward.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
