Smalley says he makes it a priority to meet as many fans as possible after every game.

By TIM BLASCO
Akiel Smalley is a Running Back for the York Capitals of the American Indoor Football League (AIF).

On Monday morning most of us will get up and go to work with one thought in mind, “when is Friday?” Smalley will most likely beat us all out of bed. By 5pm he will be in a grueling training session with Team Ascension trainer Kevin “KJ” Johnson. Kevin Johnson has trained the likes of LB Ahmad Brooks and Tunde Bakare. Smalley will begin another week with simply one thought in mind, “Who wants it more?” Smalley stands just under six foot with an unassuming smile. He is known as humble, hungry, and dedicated. When asked about his play style he simply refers to the team and the oncoming season.

Smalley went to Garfield High in Woodbridge Virginia. He doesn’t have a college Alma Mater, simply the school of hard knocks. He didn’t even have a dedicated position coach until this year, and yet he maintains a solid spot on the team. He is dedicated to the game and doesn’t really need a mentor for that.

The York Capitals are glad to have him, and encourage him to thrive for a higher echelon. When asked about his tryout with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a few weeks he smiles and admits he can’t wait to show them his stuff. He seems to me an icon of days past, after talking with him for a while you find out football is more than a dream, it’s his lifestyle.

In the spring Smalley will get an average of 4.5 hours of sleep per day, and put in an average 50 hours a week as a metal fabricator for the U.S. Navy. Did I forget to mention his only job is not football? He also lives in his hometown of Woodbridge, VA with his fiance and drives 3 hours both ways from VA to York, PA 3 times a week to play football. After hearing that, you begin to wonder if he has a screw loose. When you talk football you realize he’s chasing a dream, he would drive 6 hours both ways if he had to.

On the same day Chuck Bednarik died we conducted an interview. Smalley stands at the bar sipping his water describing his job as a U.S. Navy Civilian. While talking with every member of the team, even coaches and ownership it becomes apparent that this game is not their only source of income. The staff, coaches and players work side by side with people like you and I. They pursue their dreams on the weekends like Concrete Charlie, a name given to Bednarik because he sold concrete in the Philadelphia area in the offseason. These players exemplify that same tenacity and style, most still play both sides of the ball just like Badnarik.

In an age where athletes earn the GDP of some small countries it’s refreshing to see someone pursuing the grind and chasing their dreams. Not everyone got their shot on the first try and most of them aren’t willing to take no for an answer. Smalley not only doesn’t let time, sleep or nonbelievers keep him down he picks others up while he pursues his dream. Making me begin to feel the ghost of Concrete Charlie somewhere in our midst.

What’s so special about him though, plenty of Americans work hard and are realizing their dreams. He doesn’t do it grudgingly. With that few hours of sleep he simply digs deeper. He’s a machine. Even during our interview he points out some of the kids on social media messaging him. They rely on him for advice and inspiration. He and I met online and he even motivated me to work in sports. He’s more than just another player, he is a role model.

Smalley stands with Football Stories intern Tim Blasco.

It’s hard for any running back in Arena Ball to get a second look. Simply by the nature of the game runs are extremely rare and the field lends itself to a concentrated running scheme. Indoor Football running backs know that when they get the ball they have to produce or they may not see anything other than blocking opportunities for the duration of the game. Smalley smiles when asked how that makes him feel “I just want to play football.” His positional coach Nelson Drew points out that during a snow storm this winter they made practice optional, most players didn’t show up. Smalley made the trip and even surprised him during the practice. Drew said Smalley exemplifies “Drive, Hard work and Hunger.”

In the last few decades of Bednarik’s life he was filled with bitterness. He simply couldn’t fathom what had become of the National Football League. It was shinier, gentler and in his mind overpaid. The grit and determination was gone. If Chuck were to meet one guy I wish he could have met Akiel Smalley. His opinion of the game may have just been a little brighter.