Musa Smith facts for kids
Smith with the Baltimore Ravens in 2006
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | May 31, 1982 New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 232 lb (105 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Elliottsburg (PA) West Perry | ||||||||||
| College: | Georgia | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2003 / Round: 3 / Pick: 77 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Musa Smith (born May 31, 1982) is a former American football player. He played as a running back for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Musa played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. The Baltimore Ravens picked him in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Jets.
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Early Life and High School Football
Musa Smith grew up in New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania. He went to West Perry High School in Perry County, Pennsylvania. While there, he was a talented football player. USA Today even named him an "All-USA" honorable mention. This means he was one of the best high school players in the country.
College Football Career
Musa Smith played college football at the University of Georgia. He was a star running back for the Georgia Bulldogs. During his three years there, he ran for 2,202 yards. He also scored 19 touchdowns. This was on 454 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
A Standout Junior Season
His junior year in 2002 was especially amazing. Musa ran for 1,324 yards and eight touchdowns. He carried the ball 261 times, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He was the first Georgia running back to run for over 1,000 yards in a season since 1992. That year, Garrison Hearst achieved the same feat.
Sugar Bowl Victory
Musa played a key role in Georgia's win at the 2003 Sugar Bowl. This big game happened on January 1, 2003. Georgia played against Florida State. Musa carried the ball 23 times for 145 yards. His strong performance helped Georgia win the game 26–13.
Professional NFL Career
Musa Smith was chosen in the 2003 NFL draft. The Baltimore Ravens picked him in the third round. He was the 77th player chosen overall.
Time with the Baltimore Ravens
Musa played for the Ravens from 2003 to 2007. He did not play much in his first two seasons. In 2004, he suffered a serious leg injury during a game. This injury kept him from playing for a long time. He only played one game in 2005.
By the 2006 season, Musa worked hard to return. He competed for the backup running back spot. He played very well in preseason games. He even tied for the NFL lead in rushing yards with 123 yards.
During his time with the Ravens, Musa rushed for 496 yards. He scored four touchdowns. He also caught 54 passes for 363 receiving yards. In 2007, he had an even bigger role. He gained 264 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns that year.
Short Stint with the New York Jets
After his time with the Ravens, Musa Smith signed with the New York Jets. This happened on May 27, 2008. However, he was released by the Jets before the regular season began.
Personal Life
Musa Smith is a Muslim. His name, Musa, means Moses in Arabic. He has three children. His brother, Taalib, works as a personal trainer.
