Aaron Smith (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


caption=Smith (left center) helps make a tackle - October 3, 2006
name=Aaron Smith
currentteam=Pittsburgh Steelers
currentnumber=91
currentposition=Defensive end
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|4|9
birthplace=Colorado Springs, Colorado
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=298
debutyear=1999
debutteam=Pittsburgh Steelers
college=Northern Colorado
draftyear=1999
draftround=4
draftpick=109
pastteams=
* Pittsburgh Steelers (1999-present)
highlights=
* Super Bowl champion (XL)
* Pro Bowl x1 (2004)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=316
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=36.5
statlabel3=Interceptions
statvalue3=1
nfl=SMI018560

Aaron Douglas Smith (born April 9, 1976 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a professional American football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League. He plays left defensive end in a 3-4 defensive alignment. He is married to his wife, Jaimie, and has two children.

College career

Smith played college football at the University of Northern Colorado. While there he was the team captain for two straight years and set a university career record with 44 sacks. He majored in political science.cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/team/player/49248/|title= Aaron Smith #91: Biography|accessdate=2008-08-26 |publisher= PittsburghSteelers.com]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Smith was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 4th round, 109th pick overall, of the 1999 NFL draft. [cite news |title= The Aaron Smith file|url= http://pittsburghlive.com/images/video/2008_pdfs/0802steelers.pdf|publisher= Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|date= 2008-08-02|accessdate=2008-08-26] Smith played in every Steelers' game from 2000 though 2006.cite web |url= http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=1862|title= Aaron Smith|accessdate=2008-08-26 |work= Stats|publisher= ESPN.com] Smith has been considered an ideal defensive end in Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense. [cite news |first= Michael|last= Smith|title= Defensive linemen do the dirty work in 3-4|url= http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=1946758|publisher= ESPN.com|date= 2004-12-15|accessdate=2008-08-16] [cite news |first= Ron|last= Cook|title= One man Steelers can't do without|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08238/906809-87.stm|publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= 2008-08-25|accessdate=2008-08-26] Smith won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, during the 2005 season. He recorded four tackles throughout the game.

On February 27, 2007, the Steelers resigned Smith to a 5 year, US$25 million contract. [cite news |first= Joe|last= Mandak|authorlink= Associated Press|title= Steelers re-sign defensive end Aaron Smith|url= http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-02-28-2515274016_x.htm|publisher= USA Today|date= 2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-08-26] Through the 2007 season, Smith ranks ninth all-time on the Steelers sacks list. After missing parts of three games with a knee injury early in the 2007 season, Smith missed the last four games with a biceps muscle torn against the New England Patriots in early December. Smith made a full recovery from the injury and is expected to return to his starting position in the 2008 season.cite news |first= Scott|last= Brown|title= Steelers' Smith eager to make up for lost time|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_580684.html?source=rss&feed=9|publisher= Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|date= 2008-08-02|accessdate=2008-08-02]

References

External links

* [http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133412 Aaron Smith at NFL.com]
* [http://news.steelers.com/team/player/49248/ Aaron Smith biography at Steelers.com]