Clifton Smith (return specialist)

Last updated

Clifton Smith
No. 22, 28, 43
Position: Running back / Return specialist
Personal information
Born: (1985-07-04) July 4, 1985 (age 39)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Edison (Fresno, California)
College: Fresno State
Undrafted: 2008
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:12
Rushing yards:47
Receptions:6
Receiving yards:28
Return yards:2,603
Total touchdowns:2
Player stats at PFR

Clifton Smith, Jr. (born July 4, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a running back and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL) and United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008, and also played for the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns of the NFL, the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL, and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.

Contents

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Smith was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2008 NFL draft on May 5, 2008. He was waived during final cuts on August 30, but was re-signed to the team's practice squad on September 1. He was promoted to the active roster on October 25. In week 9 of the 2008 NFL season in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith took a kickoff return for a touchdown for 97 yards for just the second time in Buccaneer history. In week 12 of the 2008 NFL season in a game against the Detroit Lions, Smith took a punt return for a touchdown for 70 yards. On December 16, 2008, Smith was named to his first career Pro Bowl as the NFC's return specialist.

During an October 18, 2009 game against the Carolina Panthers, Smith suffered a concussion as a result of being rammed into by Panthers cornerback Dante Wesley while awaiting a punt return. The Panthers received a 15-yard penalty and Wesley was ejected from the game. Smith was placed on injured reserve on December 8, 2009, due to a second concussion.

He was re-signed on May 4, 2010 to a restricted free agent tender. On September 5, after claiming running back Kregg Lumpkin off waivers from the Green Bay Packers, the Buccaneers released Smith.

Miami Dolphins

On September 7, 2010, Smith signed with the Miami Dolphins. He was released on September 21.

Cleveland Browns

Smith was signed by the Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2010. He was released on December 1.

Virginia Destroyers

Smith was signed by the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League on June 7, 2011. [1]

Calgary Stampeders

Smith was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League on September 14, 2013. Smith was activated from the practice roster October 11, 2013 and suited up for his first CFL game against the BC Lions. He made an instant contribution returning the opening kickoff 54 yards. Smith scored his first CFL touchdown in the third quarter on a 6-yard pass from Kevin Glenn. He was released by the Stampeders on November 18, 2013.

Personal

Smith's younger brother, Brandon Breazell, was a wide receiver at UCLA. Smith also has two sisters, Nichole and Brianna Smith. His parents' names are Roxanne Wright and Clifton Smith, Sr. In his spare time, Smith has said that he enjoys playing video games, sleeping and buying shoes. On his Fresno State biography, Smith lists his favorite athlete as Deion Sanders.

Smith often goes by the nickname "Peanut", used extensively by both teammates and fans.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

Dominic Dondrell Rhodes is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Midwestern State Mustangs and was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dante Wesley</span> American football player (born 1979)

Dante Julius Wesley is a former American football cornerback. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Wesley was also a member of the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Detroit Lions.

Tim Maurice Johnson is a former gridiron football linebacker. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Youngstown State. Johnson was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders and Calgary Stampeders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Robertson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1977)

Jamal Robertson is a former American and Canadian football running back and kick returner. He played college football at Ohio Northern and played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) from 2001 to 2011.

Terrence Olondo Wilkins is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Indianapolis Colts. He also played with St. Louis Rams, and was a preseason member of the Miami Dolphins in 2004 and also played with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2005. He had 1,466 career receiving yards with the Colts, and was also part of the Super Bowl XLI-winning team during the 2006 season, beating the Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn Holt</span> American football player (born 1984)

Glenn Holt, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stefan Logan</span> American gridiron football player (born 1981)

Stefan Logan is an American former professional football player who was a running back and special teamer in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Miami Dolphins of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at the University of South Dakota. Logan has also played for the BC Lions, Montreal Alouettes, and Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayson Foster</span> American football player (born 1985)

Jayson D. Foster is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), United Football League (UFL), and Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Georgia Southern and was the 2007 Walter Payton Award winner. Foster was also a member of the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Florida Tuskers, Sacramento Mountain Lions and Montreal Alouettes.

Frank Murphy is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats.

Matthew Lytle is a former American football quarterback of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in 2000. He played college football at Pittsburgh.

Joe Davis West Jr. is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Texas-El Paso.

Charles Irving "Charlie" Leigh Sr. was a National Football League (NFL) running back. He was the first and only NFL player to be signed out of high school. He is best known for backing up Larry Csonka and returning kicks for the Miami Dolphins' back to back Super Bowl champions in the 1972 and 1973 seasons. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers. He played a total of six seasons in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jock Sanders</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Jock Sanders is an American former professional gridiron football player who was a slotback and running back. He has played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2011 before joining the BC Lions practice squad. He played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He signed a contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders on February 4, 2015, and was released on June 14, 2015. He played college football at West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Thigpen</span> American football player (born 1986)

Marcus Arnette Thigpen is an American former professional gridiron football player who was a running back and kick returner in the National Football League and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2006. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Thigpen was also a member of the Denver Broncos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Huff</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Josh Huff is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. Huff played college football at Oregon. He was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Hotshots, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts.

Trey Williams is an American football running back who is a free agent. He signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Williams has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Toronto Argonauts, San Antonio Commanders, Seattle Dragons, Calgary Stampeders, New Jersey Generals and Pittsburgh Maulers. He played college football at Texas A&M.

Christion Jones is a former Canadian football kick returner and running back. Jones played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Alabama.

Preston Terrance Williams is an American football wide receiver for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Colorado State. He has played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers.

Jamal Morrow is a professional Canadian football running back who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Deven Thompkins is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Utah State.

References

  1. "UFL Transactions". OurSports Central. June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2011.