Neil Smith (American football)

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Neil Smith
'
Position(s): Defensive end	Jersey #(s): 90, 91
Born: April 10, 1966 (1966-04-10) (age 42) New Orleans, Louisiana
Career Information
Year(s): 1988–2000
NFL Draft: 1988 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
College: Nebraska
Professional Teams
Kansas City Chiefs (1988-1996) Denver Broncos (1997-1999) San Diego Chargers (2000)
Career Stats
Tackles	624
Sacks	104.5
Interceptions	4
Stats at NFL.com
Career Highlights and Awards
6x Pro Bowl selection (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997) NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

Neil Smith (born April 10, 1966 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1988 to 1996, the Denver Broncos from 1997 to 1999, and the San Diego Chargers in 2000. Before his NFL career, he played for the University of Nebraska.

One of the top defensive linemen of his era, Smith made the Pro Bowl 6 times during his career (1991 to 1995 and 1997), and led the NFL with 15 sacks in the 1993 season. With the Broncos, Smith won 2 NFL championship rings for Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII. In the 1998 Divisional Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins, Smith cemented the 38-3 Broncos victory with a 79-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and in Super Bowl XXXII, he recorded a key fumble recovery that set up a Broncos field goal.

Smith finished his 13 NFL seasons with 105 sacks, 12 fumble recoveries, 19 return yards, and 1 touchdown. He also intercepted 4 passes, returning them for 68 yards and a touchdown. He is currently a co-owner of the expansion Kansas City Brigade of the Arena Football League.

On October 22, 2006, Smith was inducted to the Chiefs' Hall of Fame. Smith's number 90 was retired by the Kansas City Brigade during the 2006 season

[edit] Notes

Smith's trademark sack celebration, which consisted of him pantomiming swinging a baseball bat, was invented in tribute to another Kansas City sports hero, Hall Of Famer George Brett [1]. Smith might also be notable for investing along with fellow NFL player Ricky Siglar $700,000 in Miracle Cars. [2].

There was a rule created in his name. The "Neil Smith" rule prevents a defensive lineman from flinching to induce a false start penalty on the offense. Enacted in 1998.

Neil Smith is Co-Owner of the [Kansas City Brigade], a team in the [Arena Football League]. It was established in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina forced the New Orleans Voodoo to move to Kansas City only a few months prior to the 2006 season.

[edit] See also

• Nebraska Cornhuskers football

[edit] External links

• Stats from ESPN.com

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