As the Buffalo Bills' All Pro defensive end, Bruce Smith was one of those rare players whose very presence could change the perplextion of the game. Opposing teams designed special strategies to restrain him. Two, and sometimes three, men blocked him on every down. But like the high tide, he just kept on coming.
- College All American, 1985
- Pro Bowl MVP, 1987
- NFL Defewnsive Lineman of the Year, 1987
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1990
- 7 Time Pro Bowl Selection
- 4 Time AFC Campion
Bruce Smith remembers seeing the quarterback's eyes, big as plums, and hearing him gasp "Oh!" a split second before smashing into him. The startled passer was the Indianapolis Colts' Jeff George in a 1990 game versus the Bills. Smith had been running roughshod over the Colts' offensive line all day. He had already crashed through to drill George for three quick sacks, but Bruce Smith was still going strong.
After George took the snap, he barely took a step before Bruce Smith was barreling in on him. Jeff George looked as if he had seen a ghost., But it was no apparition, it was a real live Bruce Smith, who buried the rookie for the fourth time in 14 minutes.
While Bruce Smith was no ghost, there was a certain supernatural quality about him. Former teamate Darryl Talley says he's witnessed the hulking defensive end perform feats that are beyond explanation, like hurling the league's best offensive tackles five yards across the field. Teams threw so many blockers at Bruce Smith that, Talley says, "it's like they're bees and Bruce has sugar on him, like he's dipped in honey."
A Bruce Smith Quote - "I just love being out there and running wild."
Bruce Smith was also, always supports his teamates. In the closing seconds of Suiper Bowl XXV against the New York Giants, kicker Scott Norwood had a chance to win the game for the Buffalo Bills, who trailed 20-19. Scott Norwood's 47 yard field goal attempt sailed wide right, and Buffalo lost. Smith was the first person to give the kicker a hug and reassure him that the Buffalo Bills had lost the game as a team.
Interesting Facts About Bruce Smith
- Bruce Smith weighed more in the 10th grade (270 lbs) than he did throughout much of his playing weight in the NFL.
- Bruce Smith was so health conscious that during a 13 hour taping of a potato chip commercial, he didn't swallow a single chip, even though the script called for him to cram a whole handful into his mouth.
- He's cried so many times while watching the movie Born Free that his teamates hummed the theme song in his ear just to get on his nerves.
