Geno makes kids smile

Geno Smith, a passing machine at WVU

Former WVU quarterback Geno Smith, despite his troubles in the NFL and broken jaw caused by a teammate, is helping youngsters.

The Giants backup quarterback, after a nasty stint as the Jets’ #1 QB, wears #7.

So he gave seven youngsters from the Boys and Girls Club a special memory for the team’s seven home games. Each got two tickets to a game, special club passes, an autographed jersey and other Jets memorabilia, and even a postgame meet-and-greet with Smith.

The mother of Khalliq Smith, one of the first youngsters honored, said:

“Today was the first day I saw my son’s eyes without sadness since his father passed. An absolutely priceless moment to share with him.”

Eugene Cyril Smith III was born in Miami to Eugene Smith, Jr. and Tracy Seller.

At Miami Myramar High School, coached by WVU’s Dam Cogdeil, Smith quarterback his team to the 6A Florida semifinals. In Florida, that’s a huge accomplishment.

He started at QB at WVU as a sophomore. He passed and ran for more than 3,000 yards.

When Dana Horgorsen became WVU’s coach, junior Geno passed for 4,379 yards, a Big East single-season record.

As a senior, Geno had 4,205 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.

He was a second round draft pick of the Jets. They had a terrible offensive line and saw QB after QB go down with injuries, including Geno. And the broken jaw caused by a teammate, who was booted by the Jets, put Geno into rehab.

Geno was the best WVU QB since Major Harris in 1988, the undefeated regular season Don Nehlen team that lost to Notre Dame in the national championship game after Harris suffered a dislocated shoulder on the third play of the game.