Donovan Smith Is Focused On The Pool
June 18th, 2021
Joe once talked to the late Vincent Jackson about how Jackson liked to find a new sport to explore every offseason — something to enhance his training and push his body and mind in new directions.
It seems Donovan Smith has a similar mindset.
The Bucs’ Super Bowl left tackle didn’t know how to swim or tread water until very recently. His new regimen of swimming lessons are daily at 7 p.m. for 60 to 90 minutes at his home, Smith told Buccaneers.com.
“I’m working on my breaststroke right now,” Smith explained, noting he’s also working on flips in the pool to change direction.
Thank his girlfriend, Smith said. They talked about Smith maybe firing up lessons and she went ahead and booked them, and now Smith is driven to succeed.
This nugget was revealed during a Bucs group chat of offensive linemen, and Tristan Wirfs seemed stunned that Smith hadn’t known how to swim.
No word on whether Smith is learning to jump out of the pool.
June 19th, 2021 at 2:24 am
If Playoff Donnie continues in the 2021 season, then the Bucs will be just fine at LT. He has always had the size and ability, but it seems like it was all about a lack of focus at times and that’s what was causing his sometimes Maddening play at LT. Whatever has been the issue over the years, it was not there come playoff time. We will see how 2021 goes, but posts like this about a fire being lit in him about swimming and how it will help him play is music to Bucs fans ears.
GO BUCS!!!!!
June 19th, 2021 at 4:54 am
It’s weird I was just reading the stats on adults not being able to swim this week. It’s incredibly high. Higher in the US than other ‘1st world’ nations. I believe it was 44% and over 4 billion worldwide. Lead to a large percentage of deaths too.
June 19th, 2021 at 6:25 am
“…the late Vincent Jackson…”
My brain was not letting that go in. I had to re-read that sentence 5 times… Absolutely tragic.
June 19th, 2021 at 6:54 am
7pm @joe he clarifies. 8:00 a.m. for his daughter, then the teacher comes back at 7:00 p.m. for him
June 19th, 2021 at 7:34 am
Nicely done, Donavan! Swimming is an Absolute must have life skill. Also will help with core strength, balance etc. Not everyone has the privilege growing up in Fl with pools everywhere you look.
June 19th, 2021 at 7:48 am
I am so glad he is learning how to swim! I can’t imagine anyone not knowing!
June 19th, 2021 at 7:56 am
Many years ago, a dear friend of mine drowned. We were all canoeing. Scott was from NJ. He was a hell of an athlete. All state HS wrestler. We didn’t know he couldn’t swim. He damn near drowned a few of us trying to save him. I was shocked he didn’t know how to swim, and a lot of people from up north can’t swim. I now say, kinda kidding but not really, that people in Florida should have to pass a swimming test to get their drivers license. Z-Man would still be with us….Good for Donovan!!
June 19th, 2021 at 8:52 am
Especially in Florida, it is so important knowing how to swim. All parents should know how to swim and teach their children as well.
Good job DS.
June 19th, 2021 at 9:37 am
in addition to the safety angle, swimming is an excellent conditioning tool – core strength, stamina, etc. If he sticks with it and puts in his laps every day, it should nicely augment his football training and improve play on game days.
June 19th, 2021 at 9:40 am
Donovan Smith is a manbeast
He never misses a big feast.
His swimming skills are minimal
It’s ok as long as he’s a football animal.
June 19th, 2021 at 9:50 am
I don’t get it. Taking swimming lessons for a couple or several years when you’re young is just part of everyone’s childhood that I know of. Not being able to swim it’s kind of unbelievable to me. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t learn early on
June 19th, 2021 at 10:48 am
@David:
I appreciate you admitting that you don’t get it. An admission of ignorance is not a bad thing. In fact, it is the first step toward knowing. To that end:
My mother AND father both nearly drowned when they were small children, and as a result were terrified of water, so they never taught us to swim, and we weren’t wealthy enough for lessons. We had to have friends teach us, and we didn’t have any neighbors with pools. Since we lived in Michigan, we learned to swim in lakes and rivers. Great days!
June 19th, 2021 at 10:53 pm
Sacks Bonner.
Good story. And great example. Donovan is more of a product of many cities answer to integration. Instead of sharing the all the city’s municipal community pools they cemented them in. They also chose to stopped funding many universal programs.