Neil Smith (American football) facts for kids
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| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | April 10, 1966 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 270 lb (122 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | McDonogh 35 (New Orleans) | ||||||||
| College: | Nebraska | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1988 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2 | ||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||
Neil Smith (born April 10, 1966) is a former American football player. He was a powerful defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Neil played for the Kansas City Chiefs for many years, from 1988 to 1996. Later, he joined the Denver Broncos from 1997 to 1999, and then the San Diego Chargers in 2000. Before becoming a pro, he played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was even named an All-American in 1987.
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Early Life and College
Neil Smith was born in New Orleans, a vibrant city in Louisiana. He went to McDonogh No. 35 Senior High School in his hometown. After high school, he became a star player for the Nebraska Cornhuskers college team. His amazing skills earned him the title of All-American in 1987. This meant he was one of the best college players in the country.
Becoming an NFL Star
Neil Smith was a highly sought-after player when he entered the 1988 NFL draft. The Kansas City Chiefs really wanted him. They even traded with another team, the Detroit Lions, to make sure they could pick him. This showed how much the Chiefs believed in his talent.
Neil was known for his impressive size and speed. He stood 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed around 270 pounds. He was also incredibly fast for his size, which made him a tough player to block.
Career Highlights
Neil Smith had a fantastic career in the NFL. He was one of the best defensive linemen of his time.
- Pro Bowl Selections: Neil was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times. This is a special game where the best players from each conference play against each other. He made it in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1997.
- Leading the League in Sacks: In the 1993 season, Neil led the entire NFL with 15 sacks. A sack happens when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.
- Super Bowl Champion: Neil won two NFL championship rings with the Denver Broncos. He helped them win Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII. These are the biggest games in American football.
- Key Plays in Big Games: In the 1998 playoffs, Neil made a huge play against the Miami Dolphins. He picked up a fumble and ran 79 yards for a touchdown! In Super Bowl XXXII, he also recovered a fumble that led to his team scoring a field goal.
Career Statistics
Over his 13 seasons in the NFL, Neil Smith achieved some impressive numbers:
- He had a total of 104.5 sacks.
- He forced 30 fumbles from opposing players.
- He recovered 12 fumbles.
- He also intercepted 4 passes, running one back for a touchdown.
After Football
After retiring from playing, Neil Smith stayed involved in football. He was a co-owner of the Kansas City Brigade, an Arena Football League team.
In 2006, Neil Smith was honored by his first team, the Kansas City Chiefs. He was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame. This shows how much he meant to the team and its fans.
