Detron Smith
Encyclopedia
Detron Smith was an American football fullback
in the NFL. He played mainly for the Denver Broncos
. He was selected to the Pro Bowl
in 1999.
in Dallas, Texas
and was rated the second-best fullback prospect in the Southwest, receiving a perfect score of 10 points on Max Emfinger's Blue Chip List. During his high school career at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, he carried the ball 181 times for 1,351 yards (7.5) and scored 15 touchdowns.
Smith was primarily a blocking back during his career at Texas A&M
, creating holes for future NFL running backs Rodney Thomas
, Greg Hill
, and Leeland McElroy
. He rushed 57 times for 184 yards (3.2) and one touchdown, while catching 33 passes for 300 yards (9.1) with a long of 35 yards. Smith also returned five kickoffs for 54 yards (10.8) with a long of 15. During his first two years at A&M (1992-93), Smith's running backs coach was his future Broncos offensive coordinator and current Houston Texans
head coach Gary Kubiak
.
by the Denver Broncos
, and the second true fullback behind only Tampa Bay's
Mike Alstott
During his tenure in the NFL, Smith was known as a high energy player who would sacrifice his body on blocking and special teams alike. With both the Broncos and Indianapolis Colts
, Smith instantly became a fan favorite with his big hits on special teams and willingness to do the little things. In total, he played in 113 games over 8 seasons, highlighted by his selection to the Pro Bowl
1999 and two Super Bowl
rings won with the Broncos (Super Bowl XXXII
in 1997 & Super Bowl XXXIII
in 1998).
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
in the NFL. He played mainly for the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was selected to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
in 1999.
High School and College
Smith was a consensus Texas Top 100 selection at Lake Highlands High SchoolLake Highlands High School
Lake Highlands High School is a secondary school serving grades 10-12 located in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, Texas, United States, primarily serving the Lake Highlands community. The school is part of the Richardson Independent School District and is located centrally within Lake Highlands...
in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and was rated the second-best fullback prospect in the Southwest, receiving a perfect score of 10 points on Max Emfinger's Blue Chip List. During his high school career at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, he carried the ball 181 times for 1,351 yards (7.5) and scored 15 touchdowns.
Smith was primarily a blocking back during his career at Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M Aggies refers to the students, graduates, and sports teams of Texas A&M University. The nickname "Aggie" is common at land-grant or "Ag" schools in many states. The teams compete in Division I of NCAA sports...
, creating holes for future NFL running backs Rodney Thomas
Rodney Thomas
Rodney Thomas is a former professional American football player who played running back for seven seasons for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, and Atlanta Falcons. Thomas is the cousin of former NFL safety Terrence Kiel.-High School and College:Thomas attended Groveton High School in...
, Greg Hill
Greg Hill (American football)
Gregory Lamonte' Hill is a former professional American football running back who played in the National Football League from 1994 to 1999.-High school:Hill attended David W...
, and Leeland McElroy
Leeland McElroy
Leeland McElroy is a former professional American football player who played running back for two seasons for the Arizona Cardinals.-High School and College:...
. He rushed 57 times for 184 yards (3.2) and one touchdown, while catching 33 passes for 300 yards (9.1) with a long of 35 yards. Smith also returned five kickoffs for 54 yards (10.8) with a long of 15. During his first two years at A&M (1992-93), Smith's running backs coach was his future Broncos offensive coordinator and current Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach Gary Kubiak
Gary Kubiak
Gary Wayne Kubiak is the head coach for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Kubiak has participated in six Super Bowls, losing three as a player with the Denver Broncos and winning three as an assistant coach with Denver and the San Francisco 49ers.-High school:Kubiak passed for a...
.
NFL
Smith was the first blocking fullback selected when he was drafted in the 3rd round (65th overall) of the 1996 NFL Draft1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
by the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and the second true fullback behind only Tampa Bay's
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
Mike Alstott
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
During his tenure in the NFL, Smith was known as a high energy player who would sacrifice his body on blocking and special teams alike. With both the Broncos and Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, Smith instantly became a fan favorite with his big hits on special teams and willingness to do the little things. In total, he played in 113 games over 8 seasons, highlighted by his selection to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
1999 and two Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
rings won with the Broncos (Super Bowl XXXII
Super Bowl XXXII
Super Bowl XXXII was an American football game played on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1997 regular season...
in 1997 & Super Bowl XXXIII
Super Bowl XXXIII
Super Bowl XXXIII was an American football game played on January 31, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion, following the 1998 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Denver Broncos defeated the National Football...
in 1998).