Fred Smoot

Infobox NFLactive
currentteam=Washington Redskins
currentnumber=27
currentposition=Cornerback
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|4|17
birthplace=Jackson, Mississippi


heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=190
debutyear=2001
debutteam=Washington Redskins
college=Mississippi State
draftyear=2001
draftround=2
draftpick=45
pastteams=
* Washington Redskins (2001-2004)
* Minnesota Vikings (2005-2006)
* Washington Redskins (2007-present)
nfl=SMO486349

Fredrick D. Smoot (born April 17, 1979 in Jackson, Mississippi) is an American football defensive back for the Washington Redskins. He also recently played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was released on March 1, 2007 from the Vikings. On March 3, 2007, the Redskins signed Smoot [ [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2007/03/smoot_again_and_it_looks_very.html Smoot Is A Redskin - Redskins Insider ] ] to a five-year deal worth $25 million.

High school career

Smoot attended Provine High School in Jackson, Mississippi where he was selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama high school all-star game as a senior. [cite web | url = http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=30122 | title = Fred Smoot | PLAYERS | NFLPLAYERS.COM | publisher = NFLPLAYERS.COM]

College career

He started two years at Mississippi State University. He was an all-SEC selection his final two years and a finalist for the Conerly Trophy in 2000.

NFL career

Smoot was drafted by the Washington Redskins as the 14th pick (45th pick overall) in the second-round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Many believed he was a first-round caliber player but because of questionable off-the-field problems many teams shied away from him. Afterwards, he proclaimed himself to be the steal of the draft. In Smoot's 4 years with the Redskins, he collected an impressive 16 interceptions, and formed an impressive duo with Champ Bailey.

Following a strong season as part of the impressive Redskins defense in 2004, Smoot left the club as a free agent to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. However, he was not able to duplicate his success in Minnesota.

Smoot reportedly bulked up in the 2006 offseason. His playing weight was listed at 178 lb for the 2005 season and in May 2006 the press reported he weighed about 200 lb. He faced very stiff competition for the starting spot since the Vikings drafted cornerback Cedric Griffin in the 2nd round and cornerback Ronyell Whitaker was named All NFL Europe. In the 3rd game of the season against Chicago, Smoot sat out the opening drive reportedly for discipline reasons. Coach Brad Childress said that was between him and Smoot. In the 11th game of the season, Smoot was benched in favor of starting Griffin instead. Childress said the switch was merited in performance and Griffin had been doing an excellent job.

On December 21, 2006 Smoot intercepted a pass from Brett Favre and attempted a Lambeau leap, much to the dismay of Green Bay Packers fans. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n37qkcicW8E YouTube - Fred Smoot's Lambeau Leap!!! ] ]

Smoot was cut by the Vikings on March 1, 2007 and re-signed with the Washington Redskins, a move which was officially announced March 4.

Love Boat scandal

Smoot was at the center of the 2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise scandal involving several of his Minnesota Vikings' teammates. Some Vikings players had rented a boat on Lake Minnetonka and reportedly hired prostitutes to have a "sex party" on the boat. Smoot allegedly held a double-headed dildo and inserted it into the vaginas for two women who were laying on the floor in the lounge area. After one woman left he continued to "manipulate the dildo" inside the other woman in front of the young crew. Formal charges for the Boat Scandal were filed on Dec. 15th. He was also alleged to have organized the whole party, an accusation he denied. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051215/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_vikings_boat_party] Dead link|date=May 2008]

On May 26, 2006 Smoot pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance on a watercraft in connection with the Love Boat scandal. He agreed to pay a $1,007 fine and perform 48 hours of community service. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said, in addition to community service, he would participate in numerous service events this season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said fines were likely, but he said Smoot won't be suspended.

On September 9, 2006, the NFL imposed a fine equivalent to one game's salary against Smoot and former Vikings teammate Bryant McKinnie for their role in the Love Boat scandal, Smoot's fine was equivalent to $82,352.

Car crash

Smoot broke his jaw in a single-vehicle crash in Mississippi on December 22, 2006, where he was spending the week. His jaw was broken in five different spots. As a result he was out for the rest of the season.

SMACK Energy Bar

In November 2007, Fred Smoot launched his own energy bar known as SMACK Energy chocolate bar. A promotional fully loaded Eddie Bauer Ford Expedition SUV depicting his picture and the Energy bar image has toured various locales in the Washington DC Metro area. It is located in over 50 locations and is available to over a million residents in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. It is also in his home state of Mississippi.

References

External links

* [http://www.hobotrashcan.com/interviews/fredsmoot.php "One on one with Fred Smoot"] , HoboTrashcan.com.
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5492/ Fred Smoot profile at SportsIllustrated.com] .
* [http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/MIN/9442667 "Heavier, humbled Smoot still loud, still proud"] , NFL.com.
* [http://www.smackenergybar.com/ Fred Smoot's Smack Energy Bar - Official Website] , SmackEnergyBar.com.