Fred Smerlas
Encyclopedia
Frederic Charles Smerlas (born April 8, 1957 in Waltham
, Massachusetts
) is a former American football
defensive lineman who was a 5-time NFL
Pro Bowl
selection during 14-year career as a nose tackle with the Buffalo Bills
, San Francisco 49ers
, and New England Patriots
.
Smerlas, of Greek-American descent, graduated from Waltham High School in 1975, where he was a star football player and wrestler. He became a defensive lineman for Boston College
before embarking on an NFL career. His 1990 autobiography, By a Nose, recounts his eleven years with the Buffalo Bills
and their climb from cellar-dwellers to Super Bowl
contenders.
Smerlas currently resides in Sudbury, Massachusetts
and is a part-time co-host during football season on Sportsradio WEEI
with Glenn Ordway
on the Big Show, as well as a contributor to western New York radio stations WGR
in Buffalo and WHAM
in Rochester. Smerlas is an avid motorcyclist, who often rides to support various Boston based charitable organizations.
season tickets revoked, because according to Boston.com, he violated the Patriots policy prohibiting ticket holders from reselling their tickets to third parties except through the team's own ticket exchange, where sellers are required to charge face value. Smerlas offered an "All Pro Celebrity Tailgate" package for $250-a-head that increased to $625-$750 if the customer also wanted a game ticket. Smerlas and Glenn Ordway were mentioned by name in the article, but both state that they did not make money on the resale of the tickets, only on the food and beverage tailgate package.
On August 12, 2007, it was reported that Smerlas obtained a resellers license and had restructured the prices for his tailgate package to make it clear that game ticket is being sold at face value. According to an article in the Boston Globe, the new package consists of a basic food and beverage tailgate which costs $250, or a "$500 package that includes the basic tailgate plus parking, a VIP gift, and an ad in a program guide", adding a game ticket to either package costs the face value of $125. In the same article by Bruce Mohl, Smerlas was referred to as an Ex-scalper, a description Smerlas took exception to as he "has never been charged with scalping or illegal resale of tickets." The Boston Globe published a clarification on September 2, 2007 acknowledging that Smerlas "has never been charged with scalping or illegal resale of tickets". Smerlas has been quoted as being unsatisfied with the clarification and said he is seeking legal advice on other possible remedies.
11-o'clock news, which aired on February 25, 2007 revealed that Smerlas's company All Pro Productions is the leading telemarketer contractor for police, firefighter, and similar agencies in Massachusetts. The investigation alleges that All Pro Productions' telemarketers misidentify themselves as police officers and apply pressure tactics to obtain donations. Further, it was noted that the company, on average, keeps 63% of the money donated while only 37% goes to the charities. In a telephone conversation, Smerlas defended his telemarketers saying "they identify themselves", "are monitored", and "read from scripts" although he refused to provide a script. He also claimed that "60% is reasonable" given telemarketing costs.
, opened a steakhouse at Twin River's casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island
in March, 2007 called Fred & Steve's Steakhouse.
as a Republican
candidate. He dropped out of the race on April 26 after supporting candidate James Ogonowski, a retired Air Force
lieutenant colonel
and brother of John Ogonowski
, who piloted American Airlines Flight 11
.
"No one tells me what to do, I have faith in Jim. I believe in this guy.", Smerlas reported in an April 27 Boston Globe article.
In 2010, Smerlas expressed an interest in relocating to Western New York
to challenge Brian Higgins
or Louise Slaughter, believing that they have not adequately represented Western New York or the upstate region as a whole
. He indicated that his son was considering attending the University at Buffalo anyway, and if he were to relocate, he may run either in 2010 or 2012, later ruling out a 2010 run. He said that his first priority "would be to take a big saw and cut New York City off."
Waltham, Massachusetts
Waltham is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, was an early center for the labor movement, and major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution. The original home of the Boston Manufacturing Company, the city was a prototype for 19th century industrial city planning,...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive lineman who was a 5-time NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
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...
selection during 14-year career as a nose tackle with the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, and New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
.
Smerlas, of Greek-American descent, graduated from Waltham High School in 1975, where he was a star football player and wrestler. He became a defensive lineman for Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
before embarking on an NFL career. His 1990 autobiography, By a Nose, recounts his eleven years with the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and their climb from cellar-dwellers to 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...
contenders.
Smerlas currently resides in Sudbury, Massachusetts
Sudbury, Massachusetts
Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, population 17,659. The town was incorporated in 1639, with the original boundaries including what is now Wayland. Wayland split from Sudbury in 1780. When first incorporated, it included and parts of Framingham, Marlborough, Stow...
and is a part-time co-host during football season on Sportsradio WEEI
WEEI
WEEI is a sports radio station in Boston, Massachusetts, that broadcasts on 850 kHz from a transmitter in Needham, Massachusetts, and is owned by Entercom Communications. The station is one of the top-rated sports talk radio stations in the nation. Studios are located in Brighton, Massachusetts...
with Glenn Ordway
Glenn Ordway
Glenn Ordway is an American sports radio and television personality based in the Boston, Massachusetts area. He is a former commentator for the Boston Celtics radio broadcasts...
on the Big Show, as well as a contributor to western New York radio stations WGR
WGR
WGR, or WGR Sports Radio 550, is an all sports radio station in Buffalo, New York that broadcasts on 550 AM. It is the flagship station of the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bandits, and is currently the only full-time sports talk station in the city of Buffalo. Its studios are located in Amherst,...
in Buffalo and WHAM
WHAM (AM)
WHAM is a clear-channel talk radio station in Rochester, New York, owned by Clear Channel Communications. Its 50,000-watt transmitter is located in Chili, New York, and the station broadcasts on 1180 kHz.The station first went on the air in 1922...
in Rochester. Smerlas is an avid motorcyclist, who often rides to support various Boston based charitable organizations.
All Pro Celebrity Tailgate
In December 2006, Smerlas had his New England PatriotsNew England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
season tickets revoked, because according to Boston.com, he violated the Patriots policy prohibiting ticket holders from reselling their tickets to third parties except through the team's own ticket exchange, where sellers are required to charge face value. Smerlas offered an "All Pro Celebrity Tailgate" package for $250-a-head that increased to $625-$750 if the customer also wanted a game ticket. Smerlas and Glenn Ordway were mentioned by name in the article, but both state that they did not make money on the resale of the tickets, only on the food and beverage tailgate package.
On August 12, 2007, it was reported that Smerlas obtained a resellers license and had restructured the prices for his tailgate package to make it clear that game ticket is being sold at face value. According to an article in the Boston Globe, the new package consists of a basic food and beverage tailgate which costs $250, or a "$500 package that includes the basic tailgate plus parking, a VIP gift, and an ad in a program guide", adding a game ticket to either package costs the face value of $125. In the same article by Bruce Mohl, Smerlas was referred to as an Ex-scalper, a description Smerlas took exception to as he "has never been charged with scalping or illegal resale of tickets." The Boston Globe published a clarification on September 2, 2007 acknowledging that Smerlas "has never been charged with scalping or illegal resale of tickets". Smerlas has been quoted as being unsatisfied with the clarification and said he is seeking legal advice on other possible remedies.
All Pro Productions
An investigation by WCVB-TV'sWCVB-TV
WCVB-TV, channel 5, is a television station located in Boston, Massachusetts, owned by Hearst Television and affiliated with the ABC Television Network. WCVB-TV's studios and transmitter are co-located in Needham, Massachusetts. WCVB is also one of six Boston television stations seen in Canada by...
11-o'clock news, which aired on February 25, 2007 revealed that Smerlas's company All Pro Productions is the leading telemarketer contractor for police, firefighter, and similar agencies in Massachusetts. The investigation alleges that All Pro Productions' telemarketers misidentify themselves as police officers and apply pressure tactics to obtain donations. Further, it was noted that the company, on average, keeps 63% of the money donated while only 37% goes to the charities. In a telephone conversation, Smerlas defended his telemarketers saying "they identify themselves", "are monitored", and "read from scripts" although he refused to provide a script. He also claimed that "60% is reasonable" given telemarketing costs.
Restaurant
Smerlas, along with friend and colleague Steve DeOssieSteve DeOssie
Steven Leonard DeOssie is a former American football linebacker and long snapper. DeOssie played college football at Boston College, and went on to play in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the New England Patriots...
, opened a steakhouse at Twin River's casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island
Lincoln, Rhode Island
Lincoln is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 21,105 at the 2010 census. Lincoln is located in northeastern Rhode Island, north of Providence....
in March, 2007 called Fred & Steve's Steakhouse.
Political career
A Boston Herald article announced on April 6, 2007 that Fred considered seeking the Massachusetts 5th US Congressional seat being vacated by Martin T. MeehanMarty Meehan
Martin Thomas "Marty" Meehan is an American attorney and politician from the state of Massachusetts. He is the current Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, a position he assumed on July 1, 2007...
as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate. He dropped out of the race on April 26 after supporting candidate James Ogonowski, a retired Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
and brother of John Ogonowski
John Ogonowski
John A. Ogonowski was an American pilot and an agricultural activist. A resident of Dracut, Massachusetts, Ogonowski was a leading advocate on behalf of farming in Massachusetts, particularly in aiding immigrant farmers from Cambodia, whom he assisted as part of the New Entry Sustainable Farming...
, who piloted American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11 was American Airlines' daily scheduled morning transcontinental flight from Logan International Airport, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles International Airport, in Los Angeles, California...
.
"No one tells me what to do, I have faith in Jim. I believe in this guy.", Smerlas reported in an April 27 Boston Globe article.
In 2010, Smerlas expressed an interest in relocating to Western New York
Western New York
Western New York is the westernmost region of the state of New York. It includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, the surrounding suburbs, as well as the outlying rural areas of the Great Lakes lowlands, the Genesee Valley, and the Southern Tier. Some historians, scholars and others...
to challenge Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes the southern two-thirds of Buffalo proper, most of that city's eastern and southern suburbs, and all of Chautauqua County.-Early life, education and career:A native of...
or Louise Slaughter, believing that they have not adequately represented Western New York or the upstate region as a whole
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
. He indicated that his son was considering attending the University at Buffalo anyway, and if he were to relocate, he may run either in 2010 or 2012, later ruling out a 2010 run. He said that his first priority "would be to take a big saw and cut New York City off."
See also
- Most consecutive starts by a nose tackle