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{{short description|American football tailback and defensive back}}
{{Short description|American football player (1910–1996)}}
{{for|the American basketball player|Wee Willie Smith}}
{{for|the American basketball player|Wee Willie Smith}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL player
{{Infobox NFL biography
|name=Wee Willie Smith
| name = Wee Willie Smith
|image=
| image =
|number=0
| image_size =
|position=[[Running back|Tailback]] / [[Defensive back]]
| alt =
|birth_date={{birth date|1910|7|2}}
| caption =
|birth_place=[[Lexington, Nebraska]]
| number = 0
|death_date={{death date and age|1996|9|4|1910|7|2}}
| position = [[Back (American football)|Back]]
|death_place=[[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1910|7|2}}
|height_ft=5
| birth_place = [[Lexington, Nebraska]], U.S.
|height_in=6
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1996|9|4|1910|7|2}}
|weight_lbs=148
| death_place = [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], U.S.
|high_school=[[Boise High School|Boise (ID)]]
| height_ft = 5
|college=[[1933 Idaho Vandals football team|Idaho]]
| height_in = 6
|pastteams=
| weight_lb = 148
| high_school = [[Boise High School|Boise]] <br> ([[Boise, Idaho]])
| college = [[Idaho Vandals football team|Idaho]] (1931–1933)
| pastteams =
* [[New York Giants]] ({{NFL Year|1934}})
* [[New York Giants]] ({{NFL Year|1934}})
* [[Los Angeles Bulldogs]] (1936)
* [[Los Angeles Bulldogs]] (1936)
| pastcoaching =
|highlights=
* [[Fort Warren Broncos football|Fort Warren]] (1943–1945) <br> Head coach
* [[List of NFL champions (1920–69)|NFL champion]] ([[1934 NFL Championship Game|1934]])
| highlights =
|nflnew=weewilliesmith/2526112
* [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL champion]] ([[1934 NFL Championship Game|1934]])
|pfr=S/SmitWe20
* Second-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference football teams|All-PCC]] ([[1932 All-Pacific Coast football team|1932]])
}}
| statlabel1 = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue1 = 1–1
| statlabel2 = Passing yards
| statvalue2 = 37
| statlabel3 = [[Passer rating]]
| statvalue3 = 66.2
| statlabel4 = Rushing yards
| statvalue4 = 323
| statlabel5 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 2
| statlabel6 = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue6 = 2
| statlabel7 = Receiving yards
| statvalue7 = 32
| overall_record = {{Winning percentage|14|14|1|record=y}}
<!--Military service-->
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|allegiance = {{USA}}
| embed = yes
|branch = {{army|United States}}
| allegiance = {{USA}}
|rank = [[File:US-O5 insignia.svg|15px]] &nbsp;[[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| branch = {{Army|United States}}
| serviceyears =
| rank = [[File:US-O5 insignia.svg|15px]] &nbsp;[[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]]
|unit =
| unit =
| battles = [[World War II]] <br> [[Korean War]] <br> [[Vietnam War]]
|serviceyears = <!--194x–19xx-->
| awards =
|battles = [[World War II]], [[Korean War]], [[Vietnam War]]
|awards =
}}
}}
| pfr = S/SmitWe20
'''Willis Merton "Wee Willie" Smith ''' (July 2, 1910 – September 4, 1996) was an [[American football]] [[Back (American football)|back]] who played one season with the [[New York Giants]] of the [[National Football League]].
}}

'''Willis Merton "Wee Willie" Smith ''' (July 2, 1910 – September 4, 1996) was an [[American football]] [[Back (American football)|back]] who played one season with the [[New York Giants]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL).


==High school==
==High school==
Smith first enrolled at [[Lexington Senior High School (Nebraska)|Lexington Senior High School]] in [[Lexington, Nebraska]], transferred to [[Sheridan High School (Wyoming)|Sheridan High School]] in [[Sheridan, Wyoming]], and then to [[Boise High School]] in [[Boise, Idaho]], where he graduated.<ref name="A">{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/smit41600.html | title=WILLIS SMITH | publisher=profootballarchives.com | accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref>
Smith first enrolled at [[Lexington Senior High School (Nebraska)|Lexington Senior High School]] in [[Lexington, Nebraska]], transferred to Sheridan High School in [[Sheridan, Wyoming]], and then to [[Boise High School]] in [[Boise, Idaho]], where he graduated.<ref name="A">{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/smit41600.html | title=Willis Smith | publisher=profootballarchives.com | access-date=October 24, 2015 | archive-date=September 9, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909103936/http://www.profootballarchives.com/smit41600.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>


==College==
==College==
Smith played [[college football]] at the [[Idaho Vandals football|University of Idaho]] in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]] under head coach [[Leo Calland]].<ref name=ihfdft>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-qVOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9bUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2379%2C6892935 |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho hopes for dry field today |date=October 28, 1933 |page=3, sports}}</ref><ref name=wwboic>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=89VXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G_UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1294%2C5092206 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Wee Willie back on Idaho campus |date=August 23, 1937 |page=14}}</ref> A three-year star at [[quarterback]] {{nowrap|([[1931 Idaho Vandals football team|1931]]–[[1933 Idaho Vandals football team|1933]]) in the [[Pacific Coast Conference]],<ref name=ilggpl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19311024&id=bdBXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y_QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7120,5805044&hl=en |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Idaho's Little Giant goes places |date=October 24, 1931 |page=14 }}</ref><ref name=wsilgihaam>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FtBXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1fQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7191%2C3766166 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Willis Smith, Idaho's Little Giant; is he All-American material? |date=November 17, 1931 |page=16 }}</ref><ref name=tbsfacs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IRlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f-MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3496%2C1993651 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |title=To boost Smith for All-Coast |date=November 24, 1931 |page=13 }}</ref><ref name=ismutag>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m_AUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5457%2C1839302 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho smears Utah Aggies, 33-0 |date=November 25, 1932 |page=10}}</ref>}} his nickname was "Little Giant" while {{nowrap|a [[Idaho Vandals football|Vandal]].<ref name=gom42dc>{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1933/209 |publisher=''Gem of the Mountains,'' University of Idaho yearbook |title=Football: 1932 season, vs. Utah State |date=1933 |page=205}}</ref><ref name=fb33ssn>{{cite news |url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem_1934/219|publisher=''Gem of the Mountains,'' University of Idaho yearbook|title=Football: 1933 season |date=1934 |pages=214–224}}</ref><ref name=lggsarg34>{{cite news |url=https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/880?_ga=2.215050391.1009314267.1511371249-1761179966.1510545196 |work=Idaho Argonaut |location=(University of Idaho, Moscow) |title="Little Giant" going strong in tough professional ball |date=October 26, 1934 |page=1}}</ref>}} Smith also played [[Idaho Vandals#Baseball|baseball]], graduated in 1934 with a degree in education, and was a member of [[Phi Gamma Delta]] [[Fraternities and sororities in North America|fraternity]].<ref name=sen3455>{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem_1934/59 |publisher=''Gem of the Mountains,'' University of Idaho yearbook |title=Seniors |date=1934 |page=55}}</ref>
Smith played [[college football]] at the [[Idaho Vandals football|University of Idaho]] in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]] under head coach [[Leo Calland]].<ref name=ihfdft>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-qVOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9bUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2379%2C6892935 |newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho hopes for dry field today |date=October 28, 1933 |page=3, sports}}</ref><ref name=wwboic>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=89VXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G_UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1294%2C5092206 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Wee Willie back on Idaho campus |date=August 23, 1937 |page=14}}</ref> A three-year star at [[quarterback]] {{nowrap|([[1931 Idaho Vandals football team|1931]]–[[1933 Idaho Vandals football team|1933]]) in the [[Pacific Coast Conference]],<ref name=ilggpl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19311024&id=bdBXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y_QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7120,5805044 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Idaho's Little Giant goes places |date=October 24, 1931 |page=14 }}</ref><ref name=wsilgihaam>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FtBXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1fQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7191%2C3766166 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Willis Smith, Idaho's Little Giant; is he All-American material? |date=November 17, 1931 |page=16 }}</ref><ref name=tbsfacs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IRlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f-MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3496%2C1993651 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |title=To boost Smith for All-Coast |date=November 24, 1931 |page=13 }}</ref><ref name=ismutag>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m_AUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5457%2C1839302 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho smears Utah Aggies, 33-0 |date=November 25, 1932 |page=10}}</ref>}} his nickname was "Little Giant" while {{nowrap|a [[Idaho Vandals football|Vandal]].<ref name=gom42dc>{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1933/209 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Football: 1932 season, vs. Utah State |date=1933 |page=205}}</ref><ref name=fb33ssn>{{cite news |url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem_1934/219|publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Football: 1933 season |date=1934 |pages=214–224}}</ref><ref name=lggsarg34>{{cite news |url=https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/argonaut/id/880?_ga=2.215050391.1009314267.1511371249-1761179966.1510545196 |work=Idaho Argonaut |location=(University of Idaho, Moscow) |title="Little Giant" going strong in tough professional ball |date=October 26, 1934 |page=1}}</ref>}} Smith also played [[Idaho Vandals#Baseball|baseball]], graduated in 1934 with a degree in education, and was a member of [[Phi Gamma Delta]] [[Fraternities and sororities in North America|fraternity]].<ref name=sen3455>{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem_1934/59 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Seniors |date=1934 |page=55}}</ref>


==Professional football==
==Professional football==
[[File:Ny giants 1934.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[1934 New York Giants season|1934 New York Giants]], [[1934 NFL Championship Game|NFL Champions]];<br> Smith is in second row at far right]]
[[File:Ny giants 1934.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[1934 New York Giants season|1934 New York Giants]], [[1934 NFL Championship Game|NFL Champions]];<br> Smith is in second row at far right]]
Smith played in nine games in the [[National Football League]], starting one, for the [[New York Giants]] {{nowrap|in [[1934 New York Giants season|1934]].<ref name="A"/><ref name=lggsarg34/>}} In the 17–7 win over [[1934 Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL) season|Pittsburgh]] on October 21, Smith scored the final [[touchdown]] on a three-yard run to seal the win.<ref name=sbabltg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PrVRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LWkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4465%2C3334985 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Strong brilliant as Bucs lose to Giants, 17 to 7 |date=October 22, 1934 |page=14}}</ref><ref name=sisigw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XxtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4563%2C5228065 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Smith is star in Giant's win |date=October 22, 1934 |page=9}}</ref> The following week, he scored a late touchdown on a 24-yard run in the 17–0 win over [[1934 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia]].<ref name=fbggoas>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZRtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6790%2C6692402 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Football games go as expected |date=October 29, 1934 |page=9}}</ref><ref name=gw11strt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FbBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8iEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4630%2C1726828 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Giants win 11 straight on home field 17 to 0 |date=October 29, 1934 |page=5, part 2}}</ref>
Smith played in nine games in the [[National Football League]], starting one, for the [[New York Giants]] {{nowrap|in [[1934 New York Giants season|1934]].<ref name="A"/><ref name=lggsarg34/>}} In the 17–7 win over [[1934 Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL) season|Pittsburgh]] on October 21, Smith scored the final [[touchdown]] on a three-yard run to seal the win.<ref name=sbabltg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PrVRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LWkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4465%2C3334985 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Strong brilliant as Bucs lose to Giants, 17 to 7 |date=October 22, 1934 |page=14}}</ref><ref name=sisigw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XxtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4563%2C5228065 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Smith is star in Giant's win |date=October 22, 1934 |page=9}}</ref> The following week, he scored a late touchdown on a 24-yard run in the 17–0 win over [[1934 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia]].<ref name=fbggoas>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZRtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6790%2C6692402 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Football games go as expected |date=October 29, 1934 |page=9}}</ref><ref name=gw11strt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FbBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8iEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4630%2C1726828 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Giants win 11 straight on home field 17 to 0 |date=October 29, 1934 |page=5, part 2 |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222165625/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FbBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8iEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4630%2C1726828 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The Giants, coached by [[Steve Owen (American football)|Steve Owen]], finished 8–5 in the [[1934 NFL season|regular season]] and won the Eastern Division. They met [[George Halas]]' undefeated [[1934 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] for a third time that season in the [[1934 NFL Championship Game|NFL championship game]]. The Bears had won the two regular season games in November and led 13–3 after three quarters on a frigid December 9, but the Giants scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure a 30–13 upset at the [[Polo Grounds]] for the league title,<ref name=gmspfin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NaRQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4iEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6492%2C5005278 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Gannon |first=Pat |title=Giants make spectacular finish to beat Bears for pro grid title |date=December 10, 1934 |page=2, part 2}}</ref> in what was later known as the "[[1934 NFL Championship Game|Sneakers]]" game. Due to his small stature, Smith wore number zero and generated a considerable amount of interest in the press.<ref name=hilgsoi>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0d0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QugDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5210%2C4223247 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=United Press |last=McLemore |first=Henry |title=Hank interview "Little Giant" Smith of Idaho |date=December 7, 1934 |page=12 }}</ref>
The Giants, coached by [[Steve Owen (American football)|Steve Owen]], finished 8–5 in the [[1934 NFL season|regular season]] and won the Eastern Division. They met [[George Halas]]' undefeated [[1934 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] for a third time that season in the [[1934 NFL Championship Game|NFL championship game]]. The Bears had won the two regular season games in November and led 13–3 after three quarters on a frigid December 9, but the Giants scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure a 30–13 upset at the [[Polo Grounds]] for the league title,<ref name=gmspfin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NaRQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4iEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6492%2C5005278 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Gannon |first=Pat |title=Giants make spectacular finish to beat Bears for pro grid title |date=December 10, 1934 |page=2, part 2}}</ref> in what was later known as the "[[1934 NFL Championship Game|Sneakers]]" game. Due to his small stature, Smith wore number zero and generated a considerable amount of interest in the press.<ref name=hilgsoi>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0d0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QugDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5210%2C4223247 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=United Press |last=McLemore |first=Henry |title=Hank interviews "Little Giant" Smith of Idaho |date=December 7, 1934 |page=12 }}</ref>


In 1936, Smith played for the independent [[Los Angeles Bulldogs]],<ref name=swisopfg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LlkpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1658%2C3134451|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Willis Smith is star of pro football game |date=November 23, 1936 |page=10}}</ref> who played all their games at home at [[Gilmore Stadium]].
In 1936, Smith played for the independent [[Los Angeles Bulldogs]],<ref name=swisopfg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LlkpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1658%2C3134451|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Willis Smith is star of pro football game |date=November 23, 1936 |page=10}}</ref> who played all their games at home at [[Gilmore Stadium]].
Line 54: Line 78:


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Smith was blind in one eye;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballdaly.com/darren-sproles-and-the-all-time-all-small-team/ |title=Darren Sproles and the NFL’s all-time Mighty Mites |publisher=profootballdaly.com |accessdate=October 24, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024180608/http://profootballdaly.com/darren-sproles-and-the-all-time-all-small-team/ |archivedate=October 24, 2015 }}</ref> he died at age 86 in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]],<ref name=lgwsdaes>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a-kyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ygcGAAAAIBAJ&pg=4096%2C961825 |newspaper=Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |agency=Associated Press |title='Little Giant' Willis Smith dead at 86 |date=September 7, 1996 |page=B11 }}</ref> and is buried at the [[Santa Fe National Cemetery]] (section 4, site 8B).
Smith was blind in one eye;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballdaly.com/darren-sproles-and-the-all-time-all-small-team/ |title=Darren Sproles and the NFL's all-time Mighty Mites |publisher=profootballdaly.com |access-date=October 24, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024180608/http://profootballdaly.com/darren-sproles-and-the-all-time-all-small-team/ |archive-date=October 24, 2015 }}</ref> he died at age 86 in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]],<ref name=lgwsdaes>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a-kyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ygcGAAAAIBAJ&pg=4096%2C961825 |newspaper=Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |agency=Associated Press |title='Little Giant' Willis Smith dead at 86 |date=September 7, 1996 |page=B11 }}</ref> and is buried at the [[Santa Fe National Cemetery]] (section 4, site 8B).

==Head coaching record==
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = [[Fort Warren Broncos football|Fort Warren Broncos]]
| conf = Independent
| startyear = 1943
| endyear = 1945
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = [[1943 college football season|1943]]
| name = [[1943 Fort Warren Broncos football team|Fort Warren]]
| overall = 4–3
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = no
| ranking2 = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = [[1944 college football season|1944]]
| name = [[1944 Fort Warren Broncos football team|Fort Warren]]
| overall = 5–4–1
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = no
| ranking2 = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = [[1945 college football season|1945]]
| name = [[1945 Fort Warren Broncos football team|Fort Warren]]
| overall = 5–7
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = no
| ranking2 = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Fort Warren
| overall = 14–14–1
| confrecord =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
| overall = 14–14–1
| bowls = no
| poll = no
| polltype =
| legend = no
}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Footballstats |nfl=2526112 |pfr=SmitWe20 }}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=wee-willie-smith |pfr=SmitWe20 }}
*[https://govandals.com/hof.aspx?hof=95 University of Idaho Athletics Hall of Fame] – Willis Smith
* [https://govandals.com/hof.aspx?hof=95 University of Idaho Athletics Hall of Fame] – Willis Smith
*[http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=smithwee001 Just Sports Stats]
* [http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=smithwee001 Just Sports Stats]
*{{Find a Grave|1198367}}
* {{Find a Grave|1198367}}


{{Idaho Vandals quarterback navbox}}
{{Idaho Vandals quarterback navbox}}
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[[Category:1910 births]]
[[Category:1910 births]]
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Nebraska]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:American football defensive backs]]
[[Category:American football defensive backs]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Idaho Vandals football players]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:Fort Warren Broncos football coaches]]
[[Category:Idaho Vandals baseball players]]
[[Category:Idaho Vandals baseball players]]
[[Category:New York Giants players]]
[[Category:Idaho Vandals football players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Bulldogs players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Bulldogs players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople with a vision impairment]]
[[Category:New York Giants players]]
[[Category:Blind people from the United States]]
[[Category:United States Army colonels]]
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:People from Lexington, Nebraska]]
[[Category:People from Lexington, Nebraska]]
[[Category:People from Sheridan, Wyoming]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Idaho]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Nebraska]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Wyoming]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Idaho]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Nebraska]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Wyoming]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Boise, Idaho]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Nebraska]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Wyoming]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Idaho]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Nebraska]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Wyoming]]
[[Category:American blind people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople with visual impairment]]

Latest revision as of 01:39, 5 September 2024

For the American basketball player, see Wee Willie Smith.

Wee Willie Smith
No. 0
Position:Back
Personal information
Born:(1910-07-02)July 2, 1910
Lexington, Nebraska, U.S.
Died:September 4, 1996(1996-09-04) (aged 86)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Height:5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight:148 lb (67 kg)
Career information
High school:Boise
(Boise, Idaho)
College:Idaho (1931–1933)
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
TD–INT:1–1
Passing yards:37
Passer rating:66.2
Rushing yards:323
Rushing touchdowns:2
Receptions:2
Receiving yards:32
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Head coaching record
Career:14–14–1 (.500)
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Rank  Lieutenant Colonel
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War

Willis Merton "Wee Willie" Smith (July 2, 1910 – September 4, 1996) was an American football back who played one season with the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL).

High school

[edit]

Smith first enrolled at Lexington Senior High School in Lexington, Nebraska, transferred to Sheridan High School in Sheridan, Wyoming, and then to Boise High School in Boise, Idaho, where he graduated.[1]

College

[edit]

Smith played college football at the University of Idaho in Moscow under head coach Leo Calland.[2][3] A three-year star at quarterback (1931–1933) in the Pacific Coast Conference,[4][5][6][7] his nickname was "Little Giant" while a Vandal.[8][9][10] Smith also played baseball, graduated in 1934 with a degree in education, and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.[11]

Professional football

[edit]
1934 New York Giants, NFL Champions;
Smith is in second row at far right

Smith played in nine games in the National Football League, starting one, for the New York Giants in 1934.[1][10] In the 17–7 win over Pittsburgh on October 21, Smith scored the final touchdown on a three-yard run to seal the win.[12][13] The following week, he scored a late touchdown on a 24-yard run in the 17–0 win over Philadelphia.[14][15]

The Giants, coached by Steve Owen, finished 8–5 in the regular season and won the Eastern Division. They met George Halas' undefeated Chicago Bears for a third time that season in the NFL championship game. The Bears had won the two regular season games in November and led 13–3 after three quarters on a frigid December 9, but the Giants scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure a 30–13 upset at the Polo Grounds for the league title,[16] in what was later known as the "Sneakers" game. Due to his small stature, Smith wore number zero and generated a considerable amount of interest in the press.[17]

In 1936, Smith played for the independent Los Angeles Bulldogs,[18] who played all their games at home at Gilmore Stadium.

After football

[edit]

By 1937, he was out of football and back in northern Idaho, working as an area supervisor for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Coeur d'Alene.[3]

He served as a training officer in the U.S. Army in World War II, and coached the football team at Fort Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming.[19][20]

Personal life

[edit]

Smith was blind in one eye;[21] he died at age 86 in Albuquerque, New Mexico,[22] and is buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetery (section 4, site 8B).

Head coaching record

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Fort Warren Broncos (Independent) (1943–1945)
1943 Fort Warren 4–3
1944 Fort Warren 5–4–1
1945 Fort Warren 5–7
Fort Warren: 14–14–1
Total: 14–14–1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Willis Smith". profootballarchives.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  2. ^ "Idaho hopes for dry field today". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. Associated Press. October 28, 1933. p. 3, sports.
  3. ^ a b "Wee Willie back on Idaho campus". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. August 23, 1937. p. 14.
  4. ^ "Idaho's Little Giant goes places". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. October 24, 1931. p. 14.
  5. ^ "Willis Smith, Idaho's Little Giant; is he All-American material?". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. November 17, 1931. p. 16.
  6. ^ "To boost Smith for All-Coast". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. November 24, 1931. p. 13.
  7. ^ "Idaho smears Utah Aggies, 33-0". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. November 25, 1932. p. 10.
  8. ^ "Football: 1932 season, vs. Utah State". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1933. p. 205.
  9. ^ "Football: 1933 season". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1934. pp. 214–224.
  10. ^ a b ""Little Giant" going strong in tough professional ball". Idaho Argonaut. (University of Idaho, Moscow). October 26, 1934. p. 1.
  11. ^ "Seniors". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1934. p. 55.
  12. ^ "Strong brilliant as Bucs lose to Giants, 17 to 7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. October 22, 1934. p. 14.
  13. ^ "Smith is star in Giant's win". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. October 22, 1934. p. 9.
  14. ^ "Football games go as expected". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. October 29, 1934. p. 9.
  15. ^ "Giants win 11 straight on home field 17 to 0". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. October 29, 1934. p. 5, part 2. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  16. ^ Gannon, Pat (December 10, 1934). "Giants make spectacular finish to beat Bears for pro grid title". Milwaukee Journal. p. 2, part 2.
  17. ^ McLemore, Henry (December 7, 1934). "Hank interviews "Little Giant" Smith of Idaho". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. United Press. p. 12.
  18. ^ "Willis Smith is star of pro football game". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. November 23, 1936. p. 10.
  19. ^ "Tiny Colorado College leads Rocky Mountain grid teams". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. United Press. September 11, 1943. p. 12.
  20. ^ "Flyers, victors over Broncs, want another game here". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. September 10, 1945. p. 7.
  21. ^ "Darren Sproles and the NFL's all-time Mighty Mites". profootballdaly.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  22. ^ "'Little Giant' Willis Smith dead at 86". Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. September 7, 1996. p. B11.
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