Will Smith
2025 Finalist
New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame

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Football, 2004-2013
New Orleans Saints

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After being selected with the 18th overall pick out of Ohio State, Will Smith became a star defensive end for the Saints. He played in 139 games (18th in Saints history) over nine NFL seasons, all with the Saints, recording 324 tackles and 67.5 sacks (fourth all-time for the Saints), as well as picking up two interceptions. He keyed the Saints' defense during the 2009 Super Bowl season, tallying a career-high 13 sacks to go with 49 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception. He earned honorable mention All-Pro honors for the Associated Press and the Sporting News. Smith recorded six or more sacks during seven of his nine seasons with the Saints, including a pair of double-digit years (2009 and a 10.5-sack effort in 2006). Smith, who was killed in a road-rage incident on April 9, 2016, was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2016.