Legendary defensive lineman Bruce Smith is set to join an exclusive club with the Buffalo Bills. On Wednesday, the franchise announced Smith will have his No. 78 retired by the team at the home opener in Week 2 this year.
Smith will become just the second player in Bills history — joining quarterback Jim Kelly — to have his number retired.
THIS is why 78 will never be worn again on the Bills.
Bad things, man. #BRUUUUUUUCEhttps://t.co/qCWh3Fu96G
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 11, 2016
Smith played his first 15 NFL seasons with Buffalo, appearing in four Super Bowls and winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice. Smith played the final three seasons of his career with the Washington Redskins.
Smith, a Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer, joined the NFL after becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech.
“We will be honoring Bruce Smith, one of the greatest players in Bills history, during our Thursday night home opener in a special halftime ceremony in which we’ll retired his jersey number,” the team said in a statement. “On behalf of Kim and Terry Pegula and the entire Bills organization, we feel this is a tremendous opportunity to honor Bruce and his Hall of Fame career. We believe it’s going to be a great night for Bruce and his family and Bills fans everywhere.”
Smith finished his career with 200 sacks, the most in NFL history.
As one of the greatest members of the Buffalo Bills in franchise history, it is a more than deserved honor. It will be great to see Smith receive this special moment in front of the Bills fans.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
