Reuna Smith is best known as the wife of former American professional football player Earl Campbell. Campbell played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. He is known for his aggressive, punishing running style and ability to break tackles, a tactic that made him one of the best power running backs in NFL history.
Please keep reading to learn more about Reuna Smith and her husband’s life.
Reuna Smith Bio
Reuna Smith’s birth details, including her birthday, are unavailable on the web as she keeps a low profile. She is only in the spotlight as the wife of Earl Campbell, who she met even before he was a successful football player. In 1979, Earl attended Reuna’s graduation from Tyler Junior College.
Consequently, they remained in a romantic relationship and married on 30 December 1979. The couple has been through thick and thin, and as an appreciation, Campbell awarded Reuna a $34,000 Mercedes 450 SEL “just for putting up with me all that time.”
Reuna Smith Children
Reuna and Campbell are parents of two sons, Christian and Tyler. Christian played high school football at Westlake High and ran track for the University of Houston. Tyler was a running back for San Diego State and Pasadena City College. Unfortunately, he gave the sport up due to multiple sclerosis.
Reuna Smith’s Husband
Earl Christian Campbell was born in Tyler, Texas, on 29 March 1955. He was athletic from a young age and played college football for the Texas Longhorns, winning the Heisman Trophy and earning numerous All-American honors in his senior year.
Professionally, Campbell was drafted first overall by the Houston Oilers in 1978. He immediately affected the league and earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors. He also earned the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year title in all three seasons. Campbell’s signature move was running aggressively over players instead around them, a style that made people question how long he could stay healthy.
In 1980, Campbell had his best rushing yardage season, having run 1,934 yards in 15 games, and was invited to his fifth Pro Bowl. However, it wasn’t the best season for the Oilers, which frustrated Campbell, making him demand to be traded. In 1984 under a new coach, and after six straight losses, Campbell was traded to the New Orleans Saints.
In his first game with the Saints, Campbell did not do great, and his score diminished in the offense throughout the season. He had his final 100-yard game in 1985 when he hit 160 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Campbell retired during the 1986 preseason, having carried 2,178 times for 9,408 yards and 74 touchdowns in regular seasons.
Campbell remains one of the NFL’s best power running backs in history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in July 1991 and as one of the six charter members into the Titans Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2020, Campbell was honored during the College Football Playoff National Championship. The Texas legislature declared Campbell an official State Hero in 1981. His successful career has seen Campbell earn more recognition years after he retired from the game.
Wrapping Up
Reuna and Campbell are the perfect couple who has stuck together for over four decades and kept their private business away from the public.
