Fish Smithson selected to play in 2017 East-West Shrine Game

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas safety Fish Smithson has accepted an invitation to play in the 2017 East-West Shrine Game, the nation’s longest-running college all-star game.
 
“It is an honor to be selected to represent both myself and Kansas football in the prestigious East-West Shrine game,” said Smithson. “I am looking forward to getting down to Florida and showing the NFL scouts who I am as a person and what I can do on the football field.”
 
Smithson, who took home first-team All-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches and second-team All-Big 12 accolades from the Associated Press, will head to St. Petersburg, Florida for the 2017 East-West Shrine game, which is in its 92nd year in existence. Created in 1925 by Shriners, the game is dedicated to raising awareness and support for Shriners Hospitals for Children. He is the first Jayhawk to play in the all-star game since linebacker Ben Heeney in 2015.
 
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Smithson led KU in tackles for the second-straight season with 93 total stops. He also led the Jayhawks and ranked third in the Big 12 with four interceptions. Smithson collected seven pass breakups to go along with his four picks and was also credited with two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 3.5 TFLs and 1.0 sack. Smithson’s has yet to receive notification on which team he will suit up for in the game as rosters have yet to be finalized.
 
The East-West Shrine game will take place on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. (CT), at Tropicana Field. The game and several practice throughout the week leading up to the game will be televised live on the NFL Network.
 
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