Bruce Smith is simply one of the greatest players in NFL history. He played defensive end mostly for the Bills from 1985 until 2003. He played in 279 out of 304 possible games throughout his career! He started 267 of those games. Smith played in 20 playoff games, a whole extra season and a quarter season of football just in the playoffs alone.
As the card says, Bruce had 13 different seasons with at least 10 sacks, he would never reach ten sacks again after that 2000 season. His career high for sacks in a single season was 19 in 1990.
Smith was insanely accomplished, but unfortunately could not win a Super Bowl despite making the playoffs ten times throughout his career. He was also a part of the Buffalo teams that won four straight AFC Title Games from 1990-1993.
I'm sure Smith sleeps ok though. He still was a 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 8x First-Team All-Pro, 2x Second-Team All-Pro, 11x Pro Bowler and he is the NFL SACK KING as he retired in 2003 with exactly 200 sacks. That must be one of the most satisfying records ever! What a beast!
I don't remember much of Bruce Smith's career, but I actually remember when he broke the NFL sack record. I thought that was so cool! I'm glad that record remains to this day.
As a matter of fact, December 7th, 2003, 20 years ago Bruce Smith broke the record for most career sacks!! Here's a throwback ESPN article from the day it happened!
Smith is on the 1980's AND 1990's All-Decade teams, his number for the Bills is retired and he's in the Hall of Fame. Just a legendary player all-around.
