If you ever wanted to teach a young football player how to play the game of football, all you have to do is show them game footage of Bruce Smith. The Norfolk native played the game with passion and great intensity. When he got down in a three point stance, he was like a loaded bullet ready to fly.

Bruce was a left tackles nightmare! Defensive coordinators around the AFC spent countless hours scheming ways to somehow try to slow him down, but it rarely worked. Once play began, it was only a matter of time before number 78 was in the backfield causing trouble for the offense. I can only imagine that quarterbacks went to bed at night thinking of that fast bullet of a man on the left side closing down at ramming speed.

Big, fast and talented, Smith was the energizer bunny who’s battery never seemed to stop. He would ware down the left side of the offensive line and set his sights on the quarterback. He was lightning quick but could bull rush with the best of them. He finished his brilliant career with 200 sacks. Bruce excelled despite playing in a 3-4 defense. Most of the time he was double and triple teamed. Nineteen years in the league and easily one of the greatest and most dominate defensive players in the modern era.

I first met Bruce on the practice field at Virginia Tech back in 1981. We were part of the Hokies freshman class. Not much was know about the soft spoken player from Booker T. Washington, but he made a huge impression on the coaching staff when he was timed in the 40 yard dash. How could a player that big, move that fast? But Bruce was not even close to hitting his stride. He trained harder and longer than most young players and results were amazing.

Bruce made the most of what he was given. He got great advice along the way and not just listened to it, he lived it. Once in the pro ranks, Bruce study endless hours of tape looking for cracks along the offensive line. If he could find a weakness to exploit, Bruce would find it. He learned how to take care of his body and despite 9 knee and 2 shoulder surgery’s he always bounced back stronger. In The off season, Bruce became a permanent fixture at Waring’s Gym in Virginia Beach.

Being a former teammate, I would watch Bruce on the field and look for some part of his game to critique, but he would never give me anything. What I quickly came to realize watching him play was how much hustle he brought to the game. Bruce Smith never seemed to take a play off. He was relentless on the field of play. Quarterbacks and tackles knew this and facing him was not an easy proposition. Playing him in backgammon was a different story!

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is full of great football players. You don’t get to Canton without hard work and hustle. The greatest players to ever play the game will be proud to have a player like Bruce Smith at their side.

Congratulations Bruce! You deserve it.