Aaron Smith
refer to caption
Smith (left center) helps make a tackle in 2006, behind him are Casey Hampton #98 and Brett Keisel # 99
No. 91
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1976-04-19) April 19, 1976 (age 47)
Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:298 lb (135 kg)
Career information
High school:Sierra (Colorado Springs)
College:Northern Colorado
NFL draft:1999 / Round: 4 / Pick: 109
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:481
Sacks:44.0
Forced fumbles:7
Fumble recoveries:9
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Aaron Douglas Smith (born April 19, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Steelers and played for the team for thirteen seasons. He played college football for the Northern Colorado Bears.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Smith was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round, 109th pick overall, of the 1999 NFL Draft.[1][2] Smith played in every Steelers' game at left defensive end from 2000 through 2006.[3] Smith has been considered an ideal defensive end in Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense.[4][5] Smith won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, during the 2005 season. He recorded four tackles throughout the game.[6] After the 2008 season, Smith won another ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

On February 27, 2007, the Steelers resigned Smith to a 5-year, US$25 million contract.[7] Through the 2007 season, Smith ranks ninth all-time on the Steelers sacks list.[8] After missing parts of three games with a knee injury early in the 2007 season, Smith missed the last four games due to a torn biceps muscle while playing against the New England Patriots in early December. Smith made a full recovery from the injury and returned to his starting position in 2008, recording 44 tackles and 5.5 sacks.[8]

In 2009, Smith played in Pittsburgh's first five games before sustaining a torn rotator cuff in an Oct 10 win over the Detroit Lions. On Oct 14, the Steelers placed Smith on the injured reserve list, ending his 2009 season.[9] He was hurt again in 2010, playing in only 6 games, replaced by Ziggy Hood. In 2011, he played in 4 games before being placed on the injured reserve list for a neck injury, marking the third time in three years that he had been placed on the injured reserve list.[10][11] He was released on March 2, 2012.

On August 3, 2012, during a ceremony in Latrobe, PA, Smith officially retired from the NFL.[12]

In 2017, Smith served as an assistant football & basketball coach at North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania.

On July 29, 2023, Smith was named to the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor.[13]

Personal life

Smith has three brothers named David, Stephan, and Kevin.

Smith and his wife Jaimie have five children: daughters Elliana, Elysia, and Emilia and sons Ezekiel and Elijiah. His son Elijiah suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia but completed his treatments successfully and is now cancer-free.[14]

Smith was a consensus All-State selection at Sierra High School (Colorado Springs, Colo.), he also lettered in basketball and was a two-time All-Conference choice in both sports.

References

  1. ^ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "The Aaron Smith file" (PDF). Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. August 2, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Aaron Smith". Stats. ESPN.com. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  4. ^ Smith, Michael (December 15, 2004). "Defensive linemen do the dirty work in 3-4". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  5. ^ Cook, Ron (August 25, 2008). "One man Steelers can't do without". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  6. ^ "Aaron Smith #91". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  7. ^ Mandak, Joe (March 28, 2008). "Steelers re-sign defensive end Aaron Smith". USA Today. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  8. ^ a b Brown, Scott (August 2, 2008). "Steelers' Smith eager to make up for lost time". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
  9. ^ Bouchette, Ed (October 14, 2009). "Aaron Smith out for season; Steelers sign rookie Harris". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  10. ^ Steelers, Pittsburgh (October 22, 2011). "Aaron Smith placed on IR". Pittsburgh Steelers. Archived from the original on October 24, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  11. ^ Bouchette, Ed (October 23, 2011). "Ed: Neck Injury, not Foot, Drove Smith to IR". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  12. ^ http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/19719758/steelers-set-aaron-smiths-retirement-ceremony[dead link]
  13. ^ https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-announce-hall-of-honor-class-of-2023
  14. ^ Cook, Ron (December 14, 2008). "Since October, the pain has had a new definition for a family of Aaron Smith". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

External links

1996 Northern Colorado Bears football—NCAA Division II national champions
1997 Northern Colorado Bears football—NCAA Division II national champions
Pittsburgh Steelers 1999 NFL draft selections
Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XL champions
Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XLIII champions
Categories