Harrison Smith is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on February 2, 1989, in Augusta, Georgia, and attended Notre Dame University, where he played college football for the Fighting Irish.
Smith was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the league's top safeties. He played in all 16 games as a rookie, starting 13 of them, and recorded 104 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and was a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Over the next several seasons, Smith continued to be a key player for the Vikings' defense. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019, and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2017 and 2019. He was also named the Vikings' Defensive MVP in 2016 and 2017.
Smith was known for his versatility and ability to make plays all over the field. He was equally adept at stopping the run and defending the pass, and he was often used as a blitzer in the Vikings' defensive scheme. He finished his career with 747 tackles, 28 interceptions, 7.5 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles.
Off the field, Smith was known for his leadership and work in the community. He was a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which recognizes players for their excellence on and off the field.
In March 2021, Smith was released by the Vikings after nine seasons with the team. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals later that month, but announced his retirement from the NFL in August 2021 at the age of 32.
Overall, Harrison Smith had a highly successful career in the NFL, establishing himself as one of the league's top safeties and earning numerous accolades for his play on the field and his contributions off the field.
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