Critic of the Dallas Cowboys? Jaylon Smith quotes Michael Jordan and LeBron James

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OXNARD, Calif .– A source close to linebacker Jaylon Smith told me that more than ever he is entering 2021 with a ‘football first’ attitude and a growing understanding that as important as entrepreneurship is to him, it all has to be about Dallas Cowboys Success.

Jaylon therefore has a significantly lower profile this summer … until he asks a question about his critics, as was the case on Saturday after the team’s training at Oxnard training camp.

“I don’t care who you are, you’re going to get criticism,” Smith said. “Michael Jordan has had reviews. LeBron James, some of the best players in the world have reviews. It’s just part of the game.”

Does Jaylon compare to Jordan and LeBron? No… but that’s sure how her critics will hear the comments, just as her offseason urging naysayers to “watch the movie” has been turned into a negative meme.

The Truth: Smith is a magnet for the spotlight, definitely good and sometimes less so. But there’s another truth: I’m told that despite his fluid responses, he fully understands that the recent drafting of linebackers by Cowboys Micah Parsons and Jabril Cox should be taken as a message to regular linebackers.

So he watched more movies. Lifted more weight. I felt more inspired.

“You have to control what you can control,” he said. “And for me, it’s just about focusing on my development and becoming a better player.”

The knee injury he suffered in his last varsity game at Notre Dame, which kept him out of the top five, remains a legend. What about his work in charities and in business? Believe me, I know for a fact that he is making his mark.

But after this season, Dallas has some contractual loophole here. A reason to be an entrepreneur? Football doesn’t last forever. But that’s the same reason, perhaps, to put outside companies aside for a moment.

Football doesn’t last forever.

“I always have something to prove,” Smith said. “People thought I would never play again and I’m here. Really, it’s about reaching my maximum potential. That’s what I’m focusing on. Doing whatever it takes to help the team to to win.”

Smith could be moved to the strong side linebacker, the least important of the three, with rookie Parsons taking over in the middle and with Leighton Vander Esch on the weak side. Yet this team needs him – as a leading force.

“None of that matters,” Jaylon said of the sidebar issues. “It’s about winning. And for me that’s what I focus on. I’m a guy, I’ve been through it all and I’m still the best.”

It would be great for the Cowboys if the Michael Jordan / LeBron James parallels weren’t just about adversity and criticism – if they were meant to “come out on top”. It would be Jaylon Smith’s best business investment.

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