Fred Smoot

Fred Smoot

refer to caption

Smoot during his second tenure with the Washington Redskins in 2008
No. 21, 27
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1979-04-17) April 17, 1979
Place of birth: Jackson, Mississippi
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight: 185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: Jackson (MS) Provine
College: Mississippi State
NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 2 / Pick: 45
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 129
Games started: 104
Tackles: 450
Interceptions: 21
Forced fumbles: 5
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Fredrick Smoot (born April 17, 1979) is a former American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for Mississippi State University, and was recognized as an All-American. The Washington Redskins chose him in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and he also played professionally for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.

Early years

Smoot was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He attended Provine High School in Jackson, and played for the Provine rams high school football team. He was selected to play in the Mississippi-Alabama high school all-star game as a senior.[1]

College career

Smoot attended Mississippi State University, where he played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team from 1997 to 2000. He started his junior and senior years, and was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection both years, and a consensus first-team All-American as a senior.[2] He was also a finalist for the Conerly Trophy in 2000.

Professional career

First stint with Redskins

Smoot was drafted by the Washington Redskins as the 14th pick in the second round (45th pick overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Many believed he was a first-round caliber player but because of questionable off-the-field problems many teams shied away from him. Afterwards, he proclaimed himself to be the steal of the draft. In Smoot's four years with the Redskins, he collected 16 interceptions, and formed an impressive duo with Champ Bailey.

Minnesota Vikings

Following a strong season as part of the impressive Redskins defense in 2004, Smoot left the club as a free agent to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. However, he was not able to duplicate his success in Minnesota.

Smoot reportedly bulked up in the 2006 offseason. His playing weight was listed at 178 lb for the 2005 season and in May 2006 the press reported he weighed about 200 lb. He faced very stiff competition for the starting spot since the Vikings drafted cornerback Cedric Griffin in the second round and cornerback Ronyell Whitaker was named All NFL Europa. In the third game of the season against Chicago, Smoot sat out the opening drive reportedly for discipline reasons. Coach Brad Childress said that was between him and Smoot. In the 11th game of the season, Smoot was benched in favor of starting Griffin instead. Childress said the switch was merited in performance and Griffin had been doing an excellent job.

Love Boat scandal

Smoot was at the center of the 2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise scandal involving several of his Minnesota Vikings' teammates. Some Vikings players had rented a boat on Lake Minnetonka and reportedly hired prostitutes to have a "sex party" on the boat. Smoot allegedly held a purple double-headed dildo and inserted it into the vaginas of two women who were lying on the floor in the lounge area. After one woman left, he continued to "manipulate the dildo" inside the other woman in front of the young crew.[3] Formal charges for the Boat Scandal were filed on December 15. Smoot was also alleged to have organized the whole party, an accusation he denied.[4]

On May 2, 2006, Smoot pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance on a watercraft in connection with the Love Boat scandal. He agreed to pay a $1,007 fine and perform 48 hours of community service. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said, in addition to community service, he would participate in numerous service events this season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said fines were likely, but Smoot would not be suspended.

On September 9, 2006, the NFL imposed a fine equivalent to one game's salary against Smoot and former Vikings teammate Bryant McKinnie for their role in the Love Boat scandal, Smoot's fine was $82,352.

Car crash

Smoot broke his jaw in a single-vehicle crash in Mississippi on December 22, 2006, where he was spending the week. His jaw was broken in five different spots. As a result, he was out for the rest of the season.

Second stint with the Redskins

He was released on March 1, 2007 from the Vikings. On March 3, 2007, the Redskins signed Smoot[5] to a five-year deal worth $25 million. He was released on March 4, 2010.

Business ventures

SMACK Energy Bar

In November 2007, Smoot launched his own energy bar known as SMACK Energy chocolate bar. The website for this endeavor appears to have been abandoned in 2008. No orders are being taken at this time.

Waffle House

In April 2010, Smoot announced that he planned to open up a Waffle House in Washington, D.C.. He planned to open the first restaurant in the area of 14th and U streets NW. However, due to D.C. zoning laws, he admitted in 2015 that he was looking at other venues, potentially in Northern Virginia.[6]

Personal life

Smoot has advocated for the passage of the FIT Kids Act, federal legislation that would require school districts to report on students' physical activity and to give youngsters health and nutritional information.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Fred Smoot". NFLPLAYERS.COM.
  2. ↑ 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011). Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  3. ↑ Baenen, Jeff. "Culpepper, three other Vikings charged in boat-party scandal". USA Today. Retrieved 2005-12-15.
  4. ↑ Williams, Brandt (15 December 2005). "Four Vikings charged in boat party scandal". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  5. ↑ The Washington Post http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2007/03/smoot_again_and_it_looks_very.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ http://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/3bj4cf/whats_up_rnfl_this_is_fred_smoot_ask_me_anything/?limit=500
  7. ↑ NFL Players Promoted Increased Physical Education ESPN, March 19, 2009

External links

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