Neil Smith Biography

Neil Smith, born on April 10, 1966, was an American professional football player who played as a defensive end in the National Football League. Smith spent 1988 to 1996 with Kansas City, then played for Denver from 1997 to 1999 and San Diego in 2000. Before his NFL career, he played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning All-American honors in 1987. The Chiefs selected Smith with the third pick in the 1988 NFL draft, publicly stating their intention to draft him. Smith made six Pro Bowl appearances from 1991 to 1995 and again in 1997, and he led the NFL with 15 sacks in 1993. In the 1998 Divisional Playoffs, he returned a fumble 79 yards for a touchdown during a 38–3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. On October 22, 2006, he was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Honor.