Joe Smith (running back)

Joe Smith

Born:	(1979-08-26) August 26, 1979 (age 44) NFLE)
2006–2008	BC Lions (CFL)
2008	Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star	2007
CFL West All-Star	2007
Awards	2007 Eddie James Memorial Trophy

Joseph O'Brien Smith (born August 26, 1979) is a former professional

leader (breaking the previous record of 1,510 yards).

College career

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Smith's hometown is Cleveland, Texas.

Smith played

.

Smith graduated from Louisiana Tech with a bachelor's degree in sociology.

Professional career

NFL career

Following his graduation from Louisiana Tech, Smith began his professional football career in

.

In

where he became the team's starting running back.

CFL career (BC Lions & Winnipeg Blue Bombers)

Smith signed as a free agent with the BC Lions in May, 2006, and replaced Antonio Warren as their starting running back when Warren was released in July. In 14 games with the Lions during the 2006 season, Smith rushed 166 times for 887 yards and 9 touchdowns with only 2 fumbles and caught 51 passes for 420 yards and one touchdown.

Smith rushed for 116 yards on 9 carries in the 2006 Grey Cup game, which the Lions won over the Montreal Alouettes by a score of 25–14.

During the 2007 CFL season, Smith broke former Lion great Cory Philpot's single season rushing record of 1,510 yards in an October 28 game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Smith finished the 2007 season as the CFL's rushing and rushing touchdowns leader (with 1,510 yards and 18 touchdowns, respectively),

(as the Western Division's leading rusher).

On September 1, 2008, Smith was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for fellow RB Charles Roberts.

He was released by Winnipeg on June 25, 2009.

References

External links

• Joe Smith's CFL.ca bio
• ESPN.com page
• NFLPlayers.com page