- Darrin Smith
-
For those of a similar name, see Darren Smith (disambiguation).
Darrin Smith Position(s)
LinebackerJersey #(s)
59, 54Born April 15, 1970
Miami, FloridaCareer information Year(s) 1993–2004 NFL Draft 1993 / Round: 2 / Pick: 54 College University of Miami Professional teams Career stats Tackles 788 Sacks 24 Interceptions 11 Stats at NFL.com Career highlights and awards - 2x Super Bowl champion (XXVIII, XXX)
Darrin Andrew Smith (born April 15, 1970 in Miami, Florida) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints. While with Dallas he won two Super Bowl rings. At different times in his pro career he has played all three linebacker positions. Smith played college football at the University of Miami where he was also won two national championship.
Early years
At Miami Norland High School, he played linebacker and was also a 185-pound pulling guard during his junior year. He was also a member of his high school track team were he competed in the 100 meters with a personal best time of 10.7 seconds.
He was a member of the Dennis Erickson's 1989 and 1991 national-championship teams.
Smith played strongside linebacker at Miami, where he formed "The Bermuda Triangle" along with teammates Jessie Armstead and Michael Barrow.
As a senior, he was a starter in the 1991 national-championship team and was also named an All-America linebacker.
In 2006, Smith was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. His bio can be viewed at UMSportsHallofFame.com .
Smith stayed five years at the University of Miami, the first as a red-shirted freshman under Jimmy Johnson, so he could get a complete education. He earned his master's degree in marketing after getting his undergraduate degree in business management.
Professional career
Darrin Smith was drafted in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Smith made an impact instantly as a rookie and became a four-year starter at weakside linebacker for the Cowboys. He was one of the fastest linebackers in the league, extremely quick and versatile.[citation needed] He started all four of his seasons with the Cowboys, and had two 100-tackle years, including 117 tackles in 1996. He helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXVIII and Super Bowl XXX.
In the 1990s, the Cowboys organization felt they could find linebackers through the draft, without the need of paying a premium and adversely impacting the salary cap,[citation needed] so they allowed talented and productive players like Ken Norton Jr., Dixon Edwards, Robert Jones and Randall Godfrey, to leave via free agency, instead of signing them in to long-term contracts. In 1997, after he became a free agent, the Cowboys replaced him by drafting Dexter Coakley. Although he was looking for a multiyear deal, he signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, because that year many teams had salary cap problems.
His time in Philadelphia was disappointing; a sprained left ankle and torn ligaments in his right ankle limited him to only seven games that year.
In 1998, he reunited with Dennis Erickson, signing a contract with the Seattle Seahawks where he played for two seasons. He was third on the team with 90 tackles in 1999, but was released after the season because of salary cap reasons.
In 2000, he signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints and although he lacked the size, he became the starting middle linebacker at 235 pounds, using his quickness to rank second on the team with 113 tackles, he also added two interceptions (on returned for a touchdown), 21 passes defended and two sacks. He became a key component of the Saints' stout defense and their run to the NFC Western Division title, so the Saints re-signed him for four more years in 2001. Injuries limited him to only three games in 2004.
Smith retired in 2004 after playing in the NFL for 12 seasons, recording 24 QB sacks and 11 interceptions and 4 touchdowns.
He never appeared in a Pro Bowl.
He is now married and the father of twins, a boy and a girl.
Personal life
Smith now owns and operates a real estate investment/development company. Darrin is a member of The Fountain of Pembroke Pines (Pastor Wayne Lomax) where he heads the Athletes for Christ Bible Study Ministry.
Miami Hurricanes Football 1989 Consensus National Champions Jessie Armstead | Robert Bailey | Micheal Barrow | Wesley Carroll | Rob Chudzinski | Bernard Clark | Leonard Conley | Horace Copeland | Mario Cristobal | Shane Curry | Craig Erickson | Randal Hill | Carlos Huerta | Jimmie Jones | Cortez Kennedy | Greg Mark | Russell Maryland | Ryan McNeil | Leon Searcy | Darrin Smith | Lamar Thomas | Gino Torretta | Darryl Williams | Kevin Williams
Head Coach Dennis Erickson
Coaches Dave Arnold | Bob Bratkowski | Sonny Lubick | Ed Orgeron | Tommy Tuberville | Alex WoodMiami Hurricanes Football 1991 AP National Champions Jessie Armstead | Micheal Barrow | Coleman Bell | Donnell Bennett | Horace Copeland | Mario Cristobal | Craig Erickson | Carlos Huerta | Dwayne Johnson | Ryan McNeil | Leon Searcy | Daryl Spencer | Darrin Smith | Lamar Thomas | Gino Torretta | Darryl Williams | Kevin Williams
Head Coach Dennis Erickson
Coaches Dave Arnold | Bob Bratkowski | Sonny Lubick | Ed Orgeron | Randy Shannon | Tommy Tuberville | Alex WoodDallas Cowboys 1993 NFL Draft selections Kevin Williams • Darrin Smith • Mike Middleton • Derrick Lassic • Ron Stone • Barry Minter • Brock Marion • Dave Thomas • Reggie GivensDallas Cowboys Super Bowl XXX Champions 8 Troy Aikman | 11 Wade Wilson | 17 Jason Garrett | 18 Chris Boniol | 19 John Jett | 20 Sherman Williams | 21 Deion Sanders | 22 Emmitt Smith | 23 Robert Bailey | 24 Larry Brown (MVP) | 25 Scott Case | 28 Darren Woodson | 29 Alundis Brice | 31 Brock Marion | 36 Dominique Ross | 38 David Lang | 40 Bill Bates | 42 Charlie Williams | 43 Gregg Briggs | 48 Daryl Johnston | 52 Jim Schwantz | 54 Darryl Hardy | 55 Robert Jones | 58 Dixon Edwards | 59 Darrin Smith | 60 Derek Kennard | 61 Nate Newton | 65 Ron Stone | 67 Russell Maryland | 68 Michael Batiste | 69 George Hegamin | 70 Dale Hellestrae | 71 Mark Tuinei | 73 Larry Allen | 78 Leon Lett | 79 Erik Williams | 81 Edward Hervey | 82 Cory Fleming | 83 Kendell Watkins | 84 Jay Novacek | 85 Kevin Williams | 86 Eric Bjornson | 87 Billy Davis | 88 Michael Irvin | 90 Oscar Sturgis | 91 Darren Benson | 92 Tony Tolbert | 94 Charles Haley | 95 Chad Hennings | 96 Shante Carver | 98 Godfrey Myles | 99 Hurvin McCormack
Head Coach: Barry Switzer
Coaches: Hubbard Alexander | Joe Avezzano | Craig Boller | Joe Brodsky | Dave Campo | Jim Eddy | Robert Ford | Steve Hoffman | Hudson Houck | Ernie Zampese | Mike ZimmerCategories:- 1970 births
- Living people
- American football linebackers
- Dallas Cowboys players
- Miami Hurricanes football players
- Philadelphia Eagles players
- Seattle Seahawks players
- New Orleans Saints players
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.