- Inducted into the Santa Monica College Sports Hall of Fame.
- Once held eleven world and American records in track at the same time.
- Most noted for his silent civil rights protest at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. Standing on the podium after accepting his gold medal for a world-record performance in the 200 meters, Smith raised one black-gloved fist in a salute to African-American power, inciting both controversy and praise.
- The seventh of twelve children born to Richard and Dora Smith migrant workers in Texas and then California.
- Won the Gold Medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City in the 200 Meters Race.
- Plays with Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League from 1969-1971. He was cut from the team after dislocating his shoulder during a game.
- In 1971 after he was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals he became an assistant professor of physical education at Oberlin College.
- Was hired away from Oberlin College to coach track and teach physical education at Santa Monica College in California, where he remained for over twenty-five years.
- Has a son Kevin from his first wife Denise Paschal.
- Has four children from his 2nd wife Denise Kyle named Danielle, Tony, Timmy & Joey.
- Attended high school in Lemoore, California where he was voted Most Valuable Athlete for three years in a row in basketball, football, and track and field. He earned a basketball scholarship from San Jose State University where he graduated in 1967.
- Inducted into the California Black Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
- In 1999 he was honored as the California Black Sports Hall of Fame Sportsman of the Millennium.
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