One of the Greats: Bruce Bernard Smith’s Net Worth Reaches a Staggering $12 Million
The Story of Bruce Bernard Smith
Bruce Bernard Smith was born on 18 June 1963, in Norfolk, Virginia USA. He is the son of George and Annie Smith and is renowned as a former American Football player. Smith made a name for himself as a defensive end for both the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL).
Smith’s financial success is as impressive as his on-field career, with a net worth that stands at $12 million as of mid-2016. His earnings come from his illustrious football journey spanning from 1985 to 2003, as well as his ventures in the real estate industry.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Bruce Smith’s $12 Million Net Worth
Coming from humble beginnings in a working-class family as the youngest of three siblings, Smith began his football journey at Norfolk’s Booker T. Washington High School. He then went on to Virginia Tech in 1981, making strides in the Hokies football team and solidifying his position as one of the most decorated players in the team’s history. Known as “The Sack Man,” Smith set records for the highest number of sacks and tackles for loss. His outstanding performances earned him accolades such as being named First-team All-America and receiving the prestigious Outland Trophy. Smith’s legacy was cemented further when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
In 1985, Smith was selected as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Over his 15 seasons with the Bills, he established himself as one of the most dominant defensive ends in NFL history. Setting a record with 171 sacks as the team’s all-time sack leader, Smith’s achievements include being a two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year, two-time First-team All-Pro, and multiple other accolades. His impact on the Bills’ defense was instrumental in their four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Although he parted ways with the Bills in 1999 due to contract disputes, Smith’s legacy with the team solidified his impressive net worth.
Smith joined the Washington Redskins in 2000 as a free agent, where he continued to showcase his prowess on the field. His exemplary performance in his first season with the Redskins, marked by setting the NFL record for 10 or more sacks in 13 consecutive seasons, further added to his legacy. By 2003, Smith etched his name in NFL history by setting the definitive record of 200 career sacks, establishing himself as the league’s all-time sack leader. Following his release from the Redskins in 2004, Smith bid farewell to his professional football career.
Transitioning into the business world post-retirement, Smith founded Bruce Smith Enterprises in Virginia Beach, VA, focusing on commercial real estate ventures. Collaborating with former Bills teammate Thurman Thomas, Smith also engaged in energy programs across North America, contributing to his wealth.
In 2009, Smith was honored with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His legacy was further highlighted in the 2015 documentary “Four Falls of Buffalo,” which chronicled the Buffalo Bills’ four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
On the personal front, Smith has been married to Carmen Lathan since 1990, and the couple resides in Virginia Beach with their child. A devout Baptist, Smith is an active member of the Queen Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, although he has faced controversies, including multiple DUI charges in the past.
- Structural Info
- Facts
- Filmography
| Net Worth | $12 Million |
| Date Of Birth | June 18, 1963 |
| Place Of Birth | Norfolk, Virginia USA |
| Profession | American football defensive end, NFL Player, Businessman, Real Estate developer in present |
| Education | Booker T. Washington High School, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Carmen Lathan (m. 1990-) |
| IMDB | |
| Awards | Pro Bowl (1987–1990, 1992–1998), First-team All-Pro (1987, 1988, 1990, 1992–1997), Second-team All-Pro (1989, 1998), NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1993, 1996), AFC Defensive Player of the Year (1987, 1988, 1990, 1996), NFL record 200 career sacks |
| Nominations | NFL Draft: 1985/Round: 1/Pick: 1, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, Outland Trophy (1984), College Football Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame,Hall of Fame by Buffalo Bills (2009) |
| Movies | “Four Falls of Buffalo” (2015) |
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week 7 times and NFC Defensive Player of the Week once in his NFL career. |
| 2 | Defensive End for the Washington Redskins. Needs 4.5 sacks to become the all-time record holder. [December 2002] |
| 3 | On September 21, 2008, his name and jersey number were put up on the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame. |
| 4 | Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. |
| 5 | All-time NFL leader in quarterback sacks with 200. |
| 6 | Selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round (first pick overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft. |
| 7 | Defensive end with the Buffalo Bills (1986-1999) and Washington Redskins (2000-2003). |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 for 30 | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| A Football Life | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
| Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
| 17th Annual American Century Championship | 2006 | TV Mini-Series | Himself |
| The Greg Who? Show | 2006 | TV Series | Himself – Interviewee |
| 16th Annual American Century Championship | 2005 |
| TV Mini-Series | Himself | ||
| The Complete History of the Philadelphia Eagles | 2004 | Video documentary | Himself |
| ESPN’s Sunday Night Football | 1994-2003 | TV Series | Himself – Washington Redskins Defensive End / Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| NFL on FOX | 2000-2002 | TV Series | Himself – Washington Redskins Defensive End / Himself – Washington Redskins Defensive End |
| NFL Monday Night Football | 1988-2002 | TV Series | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End / Himself – Washington Redskins Defensive End |
| The Man Show | 2001 | TV Series | Himself |
| Arli$$ | 1997-2000 | TV Series | Himself |
| The NFL on CBS | 1990-1999 | TV Series | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| The NFL on NBC | 1989-1997 | TV Series | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| TNT Sunday Night Football | 1990-1996 | TV Series | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| Little Giants | 1994 | Himself | |
| Super Bowl XXVIII | 1994 | TV Movie | Himself – Buffalo Bills Right Defensive End |
| 1993 AFC Championship Game | 1994 | TV Special | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| Super Bowl XXVII | 1993 | TV Movie | Himself – Buffalo Bills Right Defensive End |
| 1992 AFC Championship Game | 1993 | TV Special | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| Super Bowl XXVI | 1992 | TV Movie | Himself – Buffalo Bills Right Defensive End |
| 1991 AFC Championship Game | 1992 | TV Special | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| Super Bowl XXV | 1991 | TV Special | Himself – Buffalo Bills Right Defensive End |
| 1990 AFC Championship Game | 1991 | TV Movie | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| 1988 AFC Championship Game | 1989 | TV Special | Himself – Buffalo Bills Defensive End |
| 1985 NFL Draft | 1985 | TV Movie | Himself – 1st Overall Pick |