Bruce Smith

Bio

Bruce Smith's combination of quickness, strength, intelligence, and relentless effort make him the model for a pass rushing defensive lineman. When Smith came to Virginia Tech, the Hokies had a mediocre program. His play helped boost the program's profile into the decades of subsequent success. An All-America high school player, he also excelled on a state champion basketball team. Smith was injured for much of his freshman season not becoming a starter until his sophomore campaign. That season Smith had eight sacks. In his junior year, he became a first-team All-America selection adding 22 sacks to his ever-growing total. That season Tech went 9-2, at the time the most single season wins in school history. As a senior, he took the Hokies to the Independence Bowl accumulating 16 more sacks. Bruce was honored as a consensus All-America selection and won the Outland Trophy. Over his career, his 46 sacks and 71 tackles for loss resulted in an incredible total of 504 yards lost. In the 1985 NFL Draft he was the first selection of the Buffalo Bills. He was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. When his 19 year pro career ended he sat on top of the game's all-time sack list with 200. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times. After his playing days he devoted much of his time to community and charitable activities.

Career Highlights

• 1984 Consensus All-America
• 1984 Outland Trophy Winner
• 1983 First Team All-America