Otis Smith is a former American football player who played as a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He began his football career at the University of Missouri, where he played for four years and was named an All-American in his senior year.
Smith was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1986, but he was released before the start of the regular season. He then played for the New England Patriots for two seasons before being traded to the New York Jets in 1989.
Smith played for the Jets for four seasons and was a key member of their defense. He recorded 16 interceptions and 5.5 sacks during his time with the team and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1993.
In 1996, Smith signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent. He played for the Bills for two seasons before being released in 1998. He then signed with the New England Patriots for the second time in his career and played for them for two seasons.
Smith's final season in the NFL was in 2002, when he played for the New York Jets for the second time in his career. He retired after the season with a total of 24 interceptions, 7.5 sacks, and 4 touchdowns in his career.
After retiring from football, Smith became a coach and worked with several teams, including the New York Jets, the Detroit Lions, and the New England Patriots. He also founded the Otis Smith Kids Foundation, which provides educational and athletic opportunities for underprivileged children.
Overall, Otis Smith had a successful career in the NFL, playing for several teams and earning recognition for his skills as a cornerback. He continued to contribute to the sport after retiring as a coach and through his charitable foundation.
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