Mark Smith, standout a defensive end at Auburn who went on to play six seasons in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, died according to multiplereports Tuesday. He was 51.
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Smith, a Mississippi native, was chosen in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft out of Auburn. After earning NFL All-Rookie Team honors, Smith would go on to play four seasons for Arizona, and two for Cleveland.
The Browns released Smith midway through the 2002 NFL season, effectively ending his playing career.
Smith played 67 NFL games over his six-year career, starting 35. He recorded 20 sacks and 199 tackles (148 solo), and recovered two fumbles in his career.
A graduate of Vicksburg (Miss.) High School, where he starred in both football and basketball, Smith was later inducted into the Vicksburg-Warren School District Athletics Hall of Fame.
In 2024, Smith was inducted into the Hinds Community College Sports Hall of Fame, 20 years after helping the small school field the No. 1 ranked rushing defense and the No. 2 ranked overall defense in the nation.
Smith transferred from Hinds to Auburn, where he played on the Tigers’ defensive line for two years.
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