Robert Smith (defensive end)
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1962)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Robert B. Smith
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 74
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|12|3|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Bogalusa, Louisiana, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lbs = 255
| high_school = Bogalusa (LA)
| college = Grambling State
| suppdraftyear = 1984
| suppdraftround = 2
| suppdraftpick = 40
| pastteams =
- Arizona Wranglers ({{USFL Year|1984}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|1985}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1987}})
- Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|1990}})
- Tampa Bay Storm ({{AFL Year|1991}})
- Detroit Drive ({{AFL Year|1992}})
| pfr = SmitRo22
| afl = 1497
}}
Robert Benjamin Smith (born December 3, 1962) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Arizona Wranglers, Toronto Argonauts, Tampa Bay Storm and Detroit Drive. He played college football at Grambling State University.
Early years
Born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, he attended Bogalusa High School. He accepted a football scholarship from Grambling State University.
Professional career
Smith was selected by the New Orleans Breakers in the 1984 USFL Territorial Draft. He was traded and signed to play for the Arizona Wranglers in the United States Football League for the 1984 season. He was also selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (40th overall) of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft.{{Cite web |title=1984 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1984/draft.htm |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
In 1985, he joined the Vikings after the USFL folded, playing in all 16 games as a backup at defensive end and defensive tackle, though he was almost exclusively used as a field goal blocker due to his 6'6 frame. He was released before the start of the 1986 season.
In 1987, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. He broke his left arm during the preseason and was placed on the injured reserve list. He was released before the start of the 1988 season.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=smithrob001 Just Sports Stats]
{{Vikings1984SupDraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Robert}}
Category:Sportspeople from Bogalusa, Louisiana
Category:Players of American football from Louisiana
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Canadian football defensive linemen
Category:Players of Canadian football from Louisiana
Category:Arizona Wranglers players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Toronto Argonauts players
Category:Tampa Bay Storm players