Courtesy of Sammie Smith
Key Points
- Sammie Smith was named grand marshal of the Foliage Sertoma Club of Apopka's Christmas parade on Dec. 12.
- Smith was MVP of the 1989 Sugar Bowl and a first-round NFL draft pick, ninth overall, by the Miami Dolphins.
- The 2026 parade, titled 'A Star-Spangled Christmas,' will celebrate America's 250th birthday along Park Avenue.
Foliage Sertoma Club of Apopka has named local football legend Sammie Smith as the grand marshal for the club’s annual Christmas parade, scheduled for Dec. 12.
“I am so honored to be asked and grateful for the foundation I had growing up and playing football in Apopka,” Smith said in an Oct. 9 radio broadcast, as quoted in Sertoma’s Monday news release. “It will really be fun to see all those folks again.”
Smith was a USA Today high school All-American, according to Florida State University. The release credited him with helping “put Apopka High School football on the map.”
“As the most highly recruited running back in the U.S.A., he was personally convinced by coach Bobby Bowden to play for FSU,” the release said. Smith was MVP of the 1989 Sugar Bowl for Florida State and the Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick, ninth overall, that year. “He is author of My Name Is Not 18121-018, encapsulating the highs and lows of a professional athlete. Most recently he was team chaplain/life coach for Ole Miss football serving head coach Lane Kiffin and staff.”
Smith works with FCA Outdoors in Central Florida.
This year’s parade, “A Star-Spangled Christmas,” will celebrate America’s 250th birthday along Park Avenue. Those wishing to sponsor or join the parade may visit foliagesertoma.org.
