Antonio Smith
Age: 43
Antonio DeShonta Smith (born October 21, 1981), nicknamed the Ninja Assassin, is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football for Oklahoma State University, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Smith has also played for the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders.
College career
He played college football at Oklahoma State. He was an honorable mention All-Big 12 in his junior season at Oklahoma State.
Professional career
Arizona Cardinals
Smith was drafted 135th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft and was the starting left defensive end. During the 2008 NFL Season, Smith played in every game and had 2 forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks. Smith helped the Cardinals reach Super Bowl XLIII, but lost 27-23 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite a great performance during the course of the season, the Cardinals chose not to re-sign him and let him go into free agency.
Houston Texans
Smith was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Houston Texans to replace the released Anthony Weaver.
In 2011, Smith went to his first career Pro Bowl, replacing the New England Patriots' Andre Carter who was unable to play due to injury.
In 2013, Smith was suspended for week one after an incident in the preseason in which he removed Miami Dolphins lineman Richie Incognito's helmet and swung it at him. On November 29, 2013, he was fined $15,750 for hitting Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterback Chad Henne in the head and neck region.
Oakland Raiders
On March 14, 2014, Smith signed a two year, $9 million contract with the Oakland Raiders and played defensive tackle in the Raiders base 4-3 defense. He was released by the Raiders on March 31, 2015.
Denver Broncos
On April 2, 2015, Smith signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Denver Broncos.
Smith won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos after they beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10.
NFL stats
Year | Team | GP | COMB | TOTAL | AST | SACK | FF | FR | FR YDS | INT | IR YDS | AVG IR | LNG | TD | PD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | ARI | 12 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2006 | ARI | 16 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 2.5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | ARI | 16 | 43 | 37 | 6 | 5.5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | ARI | 16 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 3.5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2009 | HOU | 16 | 34 | 26 | 8 | 4.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2010 | HOU | 16 | 38 | 23 | 15 | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
2011 | HOU | 16 | 25 | 19 | 6 | 6.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
2012 | HOU | 16 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 7.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
2013 | HOU | 15 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 5.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | OAK | 16 | 20 | 18 | 2 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2015 | DEN | 16 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 100 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 173 | 311 | 235 | 76 | 47.0 | 10 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Key
- GP: games played
- COMB: combined tackles
- TOTAL: total tackles
- AST: assisted tackles
- SACK: sacks
- FF: forced fumbles
- FR: fumble recoveries
- FR YDS: fumble return yards
- INT: interceptions
- IR YDS: interception return yards
- AVG IR: average interception return
- LNG: longest interception return
- TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
- PD: passes defensed
Personal life
Smith has two children, Antonio Smith Jr. (2003) and Winter Smith (2009).
Smith, along with his sister Antwonette, founded Smith's Little People With Big Challenges Foundation. The organization's mission is to fight childhood obesity.
His father died 4 days before Super Bowl 50, due to heart surgery complications.