Sammie Lee Smith (born May 16, 1967) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft with the ninth overall pick. Smith played in four NFL seasons from 1989 to 1992 for the Dolphins and Denver Broncos. Smith had some success as the starter for Miami in 1989 and 1990, but his fumbling issues cost Miami repeatedly in 1991, leading to him being benched late in the season. Miami traded Smith away to Denver for Bobby Humphrey before the 1992 season, and Smith saw very limited action in a few games that year. Denver released him as soon as their season was over and Smith retired after no teams showed any interest in signing him for the 1993 season or beyond.
Smith has had numerous legal problems since leaving professional football. In 1996, he was convicted of two counts of possession and distribution of cocaine, and spent seven years in prison as a result. He won restoration of his civil rights from the State of Florida in June 2010.
In 2013, he was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame.
NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high
Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1989 MIA 13 12 200 659 3.3 25 6 7 81 11.6 34 0 1990 MIA 16 16 226 831 3.7 33 8 11 134 12.2 53 1 1991 MIA 12 6 83 297 3.6 18 1 14 95 6.8 12 0 1992 DEN 3 1 23 94 4.1 15 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 44 35 532 1,881 3.5 33 15 32 310 9.7 53 1
Playoffs Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1990 MIA 2 2 41 181 4.4 17 0 3 31 10.3 13 0 2 2 41 181 4.4 17 0 3 31 10.3 13 0
References