Jeff Smith (running back)

Last updated

Jeff Smith
No. 42, 35
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1962-03-22) March 22, 1962 (age 63)
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Wichita Southeast
College: Nebraska
NFL draft: 1985: 10th round, 267th pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:752
Rushing average:3.7
Total touchdowns:12
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jeff Keith Smith (born March 22, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was selected by the Chiefs in the 10th round in the 1985 NFL draft. [1]

Contents

College career

At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Smith's career was highlighted by his two touchdowns in the 1984 Orange Bowl including one in the last minute to almost rally the Cornhuskers to a comeback victory against the Miami Hurricanes in what is still thought to be one of the greatest college football games of all time.

Professional career

Smiths most productive season was 1986 with the Chiefs when he gained 1,270 all-purpose yards, 557 of which came returning kickoffs. [2]

Later years

After his NFL career, Smith has pursued a career in the criminal justice system, working as a Court Services Officer in Wichita, Kansas.

Personal life

Smith is the step-father of NFL running back Breece Hall. [3]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
1985 KAN 131301183.9270181578.7452
1986 KAN 150542384.4323332307.0183
1987 TAM 1281003093.1462201979.9342
1988 TAM 16320874.4230161348.4220
56122047523.7465877188.3457

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
1986 KAN 104123.0612126.060
104123.0612126.060

References

  1. "1985 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  2. "Jeff Smith 1986 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  3. Cimini, Rich (May 19, 2022). "49ers great Roger Craig part of football family molding Jets rookie Breece Hall". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 29, 2022.