SALT LAKE CITY — A new tradition at the University of Utah honored one of the greatest players to ever compete for the Utes football team.
At halftime of Thursday's season opener vs. Southern Utah, former quarterback Alex Smith was inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor.
Surrounded by family in the field, Smith saw his name permanently enshrined on the west walls of Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"The amount of pride I have for this program, and to have been a part of it now as an alumni, it’s changed my life and I’m so incredibly grateful for it,” Smith said before receiving the honor, according to Sports Illustrated.
A first-team All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist in 2004, Smith passed for over 5,200 yards and 47 touchdowns with the Utes.
Following Smith's induction this year, Utah will add two new members to the Ring of Honor at Rice-Eccles Stadium each season thereafter. To be considered for the honor, each inductee must either be a university graduate or attended Utah for at least three years, as well as be a member of the Crimson Club Hall of Fame.
Smith still holds the Utah records for his 32 single-season touchdown passes and 42 total touchdowns. He was the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2005, before going on to play 16 years in the NFL.
