In honor of his daughter Jamiria, who lived for just five months, Jaquail Smith wore the number 5 on his jersey as a heartfelt tribute to her memory.
Jaquail Smith ranked No. 18 in the Sentinel’s 2025 Central Florida Super60, and his girlfriend, Sugar Scott, recognized that their lives would change drastically in 2023.
Highlights
- At just 17, the responsibility of having a child was overwhelming, and Jaquail Smith felt scared about the future.
- Five months after Jamiria was born, her mother, Sugar Scott, was lying next to her when she woke up to find the baby unresponsive and not breathing.
- At the start of the season, he wasn’t sure what role he would play, but his head coach, Williams, unexpectedly named him the starting running back.
The duo chose to keep their baby, Jamiria Scott, and with support from their families, they focused on providing her with a good life.
Although there had been some discussion about abortion, both of them ultimately agreed they wanted to keep the baby and take on the responsibility together.
RB Jaquail Smith Hoped On From Basketball To Football For His Daughter
Jaquail Smith, a senior running back at Jones High School, had always hoped to experience the typical challenges of being a teenager.
At just 17, the responsibility of having a child was overwhelming, and he felt scared about the future.
He knew it was a huge responsibility, one that would require him to grow up quickly.
Nonetheless, five months after Jamiria was born, her mother, Sugar Scott, was lying next to her when she woke up to find the baby unresponsive and not breathing.
So, they rushed her to the hospital, and doctors put her on a ventilator, but the outcome was heartbreaking.
Losing Jamiria after just five months was incredibly tough for Smith. It was a painful and frightening experience, and the grief weighed heavily on him and everyone who loved the baby.
Before her passing, Smith had committed to his daughter’s future.
Although he spent most of his high school years focused on basketball, he realized that football might offer him the best chance to get a college scholarship.
With the responsibilities of fatherhood now at the forefront of his mind, he returned to the football field.
He hoped the sport would allow him to build a better future and honor Jamiria’s memory.
“I wanted to quit. I was very discouraged. There were a lot of days I didn’t even want to be at practice, but Coach Will [Elijah Williams] and the coaching staff stayed behind me and kept pushing me and telling me to keep my head up.”
Jaquail Smith
Somehow, Jaquail Smith Managed To Show Up In His Career Stats Following His Daughter Demise
Smith has used his past disappointments to fuel his determination to succeed for Jamiria.
At the start of the season, he wasn’t sure what role he would play, but his head coach, Williams, unexpectedly named him the starting running back.
Smith still remembers walking into the coach’s office one day and seeing his name on the board as the starting running back.
He was caught off guard, especially since Williams hadn’t asked him what position he wanted to play.
Unsure what to make of it, Smith didn’t question the decision and just played the position.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 185 pounds, Smith has proven himself on the field.
Through the Tigers’ first nine games, he’s rushed for 1,085 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.
His impressive performances have drawn the attention of several prominent colleges, including Syracuse, which recently extended him his first scholarship offer.
Every night I play for her and every night I think of her, That’s why I wear No. 5 … it’s for her and everything she was about. She was happy here and hopefully she’s happy up there.
Jaquail Smith
“I know she’s happy to see me doing good, and I couldn’t do it if it wasn’t for her and her mom and this coaching staff. My parents, her parents … with them being on my side going through all of this, it’s a big help.”
Additional Information
- Jaquail Smith’s daughter Jamiria was born last November 2023 and would have turned one this year.
- He also had the support of his cousin, Daquan Evans, a former Jones player who became a father at 14 and now has a seven-year-old son, Da’Mani.
- Smith and the Tigers are looking to extend their season. They will start postseason play on November 15th with a home game against Lecanto.
