| Robert Smith Background |  |
Mr. Smith Goes to the End Zone
Robert shreds defenses with his explosive style and cuts on a dime. He's one of the most intelligent players in the NFL.
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Position:
Running Back Jersey: #26 Born: Euclid, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland) Date: March 4, 1972 Height: 6’2" Weight: 212 College: Ohio State University Drafted: 1st Round, 21 overall, 1993 |
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Skol Vikings! Robert has a career average of 26.6 yards per rushing touchdown. This is the highest in the NFL. 1999 was another banner year for Robert: He set the Viking record of 100+ yard games in a career with 21. He set the Viking record of 5 consecutive seasons with a 4.0 or better per carry season rushing average. He moved into third place in Vikings career rushing yardage with 5,297 yards (behind Chuck Foreman and Bill Brown). You can see the other records he set in 1999 on the Vikings page. |
| Giving it
the Old College Try...UPI Freshman of the Year in 1990
Rushed for 1,126 yards, surpassing
Archie Griffin's freshman record.
Two-time track
all-American
A key cog in the 1,600-meter relay
team with the fastest time in the world in 1993, winning the 1993 NCAA title
Led Ohio State in rushing in 1992, earning second team All-Big Ten honors In high school, Robert was Ohio Mr. Football twice. |
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Personal... Robert is single. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. He has one brother, Scott. He currently has two cats, Opus and Aria. Robert is currently planning on working in medical research after he finishes his football career. Robert is completing his Bachelor of Science degree at Ohio State University during the off-seasons after leaving school early to enter the NFL. |
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In the
off-hours... Robert is the Vikings' representative to the NFL Players Association. Robert enjoys computers and astronomy. Since you're on the Internet, I assume you know something about computers, but if you'd like to learn more about astronomy, check out these websites:
In 1999, Robert formed the Robert Smith Foundation to benefit research on children's cancer. He is very involved in the Twin Cities community, working primarily with Minneapolis Children's Health. Among other things, he visits with sick children, giving autographs, jerseys and game tickets. Robert also volunteers at the children's hospital in Columbus, OH in the off-season. To find out about the Robert Smith Foundation or volunteering at Children's Hospital yourself:
Robert also enjoys music of all kinds. He plays piano and frequently attends performances at the Minnesota Orchestra. He listens to classical, jazz, rock and alternative music. Favorites include Joshua Redman, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Prince, Black Crowes and Fiona Apple. |
