FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith launched his ‘Clear Eye View’ Eyewear Collection at the Lincoln Experience Center located at the Star. Smith has an incredible story of perseverance through adversity. His journey to the explosive defensive player flying off the line of scrimmage and moving from sideline to sideline in 2018, came the creation and inspiration for his new mantra: Focused Vision, Determined Belief, and Earned Dreams.
The purpose of his Operation CEV Eyewear Collection is to pay forward the message he has lived, and for people to remember when they put on an original pair of glasses or sunglasses by Jaylon Smith that a “focused vision and determined belief creates a world where anything is possible. “
In 2016 Smith was projected to be a top five selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, and then his injury in the Fiesta Bowl for the Fighting Irish occurred. Smith’s leg bent awkwardly, after being shoved by an Ohio State player. Notre dame staffers helped the All-American and Butkus Award Winner off the field. He tore his ACL and MCL, resulting in nerve damage in his knee. Many NFL teams discarded Smith in the Draft, not knowing if his knee would rejuvenate or if he would ever be the same caliber player he was for Notre Dame. The Dallas Cowboys’ doctor performed Smith’s surgery, and after close communication they made the gamble for Smith in the second round with the 34th overall pick in the 2016 Draft.
Not only did Jaylon’s knee rejuvenate, but now he is in full health having a standout season with four sacks, two forced fumbles, and 96 total tackles in 2018. He is also a candidate to possibly represent the Dallas Cowboys in Orlando in the 2019 Pro-Bowl. Jaylon Smith defied the odds and is a player that elevates those around him by his positive outlook, contagious smile, and focused vision. He makes the most of each opportunity every time he puts on his Cowboys’ helmet and steps on the football field. Doctors told him he may never play again, and he had to watch from the sidelines during the 2016 season as a rookie. He worked extremely hard through his rehab process and gives the defense an imposing physical presence, becoming one of the greatest difference makers on the field for Dallas.
He does not take any snap for granted because he knows that in an instant that can change. Throughout his journey to this point in his career, he has experienced a perspective change. I spoke with Smith on the outcome and growth from the change, “ It has humbled me a lot, because I had never been hurt before. Always being in the spotlight –high school, four state championships, top three recruit. Then I go to the University of Notre Dame, started as a freshman, all of the honors- first All-American, No. 1 linebacker, and all that good stuff. Then this adversity comes and presents a great opportunity for me to overcome it and persevere, and that is what has gotten me to where I am today. “
Smith is proof that with the right mindset and belief in yourself, you can do anything or be anything you want to be. Wearing a pair of signature CEV eyewear glasses, is not a fashion statement but a symbol of recognition to yourself and the world in what you believe and that anything is possible. Jaylon Smith was a part of the design process for the collection and the collection is available for purchase on jaylonsmith.com/shop-cev/. Smith is an inspiration and a person using his platform as an NFL player to make a difference through his story. Check out the website and support his ‘clear eye view.’ It is a worthy cause for a humble guy. Congratulations on the launch!
