Clifton Smith (return specialist)

Last updated

Clifton Smith
No. 22, 28, 43
Position: Running back / Return specialist
Personal information
Born: (1985-07-04) July 4, 1985 (age 38)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Edison (Fresno, California)
College: Fresno State
Undrafted: 2008
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:12
Rushing yards:47
Receptions:6
Receiving yards:28
Return yards:2,603
Total touchdowns:2
Player stats at PFR

Clifton Smith, Jr. (born July 4, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a running back and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL) and United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008, and also played for the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns of the NFL, the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL, and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.

Contents

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Smith was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2008 NFL Draft on May 5, 2008. He was waived during final cuts on August 30, but was re-signed to the team's practice squad on September 1. He was promoted to the active roster on October 25. In week 9 of the 2008 NFL season in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith took a kickoff return for a touchdown for 97 yards for just the second time in Buccaneer history. In week 12 of the 2008 NFL season in a game against the Detroit Lions, Smith took a punt return for a touchdown for 70 yards. On December 16, 2008, Smith was named to his first career Pro Bowl as the NFC's return specialist.

During an October 18, 2009 game against the Carolina Panthers, Smith suffered a concussion as a result of being rammed into by Panthers cornerback Dante Wesley while awaiting a punt return. The Panthers received a 15-yard penalty and Wesley was ejected from the game. Smith was placed on injured reserve on December 8, 2009, due to a second concussion.

He was re-signed on May 4, 2010 to a restricted free agent tender. On September 5, after claiming running back Kregg Lumpkin off waivers from the Green Bay Packers, the Buccaneers released Smith.

Miami Dolphins

On September 7, 2010, Smith signed with the Miami Dolphins. He was released on September 21.

Cleveland Browns

Smith was signed by the Cleveland Browns on November 16, 2010. He was released on December 1.

Virginia Destroyers

Smith was signed by the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League on June 7, 2011. [1]

Calgary Stampeders

Smith was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League on September 14, 2013. Smith was activated from the practice roster October 11, 2013 and suited up for his first CFL game against the BC Lions. He made an instant contribution returning the opening kickoff 54 yards. Smith scored his first CFL touchdown in the third quarter on a 6-yard pass from Kevin Glenn. He was released by the Stampeders on November 18, 2013.

Personal

Smith's younger brother, Brandon Breazell, was a wide receiver at UCLA. Smith also has two sisters, Nichole and Brianna Smith. His parents' names are Roxanne Wright and Clifton Smith, Sr. In his spare time, Smith has said that he enjoys playing video games, sleeping and buying shoes. On his Fresno State biography, Smith lists his favorite athlete as Deion Sanders.

Smith often goes by the nickname "Peanut", used extensively by both teammates and fans.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

Dominic Dondrell Rhodes is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Midwestern State Mustangs and was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dante Wesley</span> American football player (born 1979)

Dante Julius Wesley is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Wesley was also a member of the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Detroit Lions.

Curtis Lee Deloatch is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at North Carolina A&T.

Tim Maurice Johnson is a former gridiron football linebacker. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Youngstown State. Johnson was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders and Calgary Stampeders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Robertson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1977)

Jamal Robertson is a former American and Canadian football running back and kick returner. He played college football at Ohio Northern and played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) from 2001 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn Holt</span> American football player (born 1984)

Glenn Holt, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Kentucky.

Roderick World Harris is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a member of the Sacramento Gold Miners, Shreveport Pirates, Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Texas A&M University.

Ken-Yon Cedric Rambo is a former professional American football wide receiver in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts. He also was a member of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State University.

Joe Davis West Jr. is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Texas-El Paso.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jock Sanders</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Jock Sanders is an American former professional gridiron football player who was a slotback and running back. He has played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2011 before joining the BC Lions practice squad. He played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He signed a contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders on February 4, 2015, and was released on June 14, 2015. He played college football at West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Reid</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1982)

Fred Reid is the running backs coach for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a former professional gridiron football running back who played primarily for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was originally signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Mississippi State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Thigpen</span> American football player (born 1986)

Marcus Arnette Thigpen is an American former professional gridiron football player who was a running back and kick returner in the National Football League and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2006. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Thigpen was also a member of the Denver Broncos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Banks</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Brandon Desean Banks is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Bakersfield College and Kansas State. Originally coming into the NFL at 149 pounds, Banks was the lightest active player in the league. Banks is also currently the lightest player in the CFL at 150 pounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarrett Boykin</span> American gridiron football player (born 1989)

Jarrett Boykin Jr. is a former American football and Canadian football wide receiver and current coach. He played college football at Virginia Tech. Boykin was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He has also been a member of the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills. Boykin most recently spent parts of two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Huff</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Josh Huff is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. Huff played college football at Oregon. He was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Hotshots, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts.

Josh Harper is an American football wide receiver for the Oakland Panthers of the Indoor Football League. He played college football with Fresno State.

Trey Williams is an American football running back who is a free agent. He signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Williams has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Toronto Argonauts, San Antonio Commanders, Seattle Dragons, Calgary Stampeders, New Jersey Generals and Pittsburgh Maulers. He played college football at Texas A&M.

Christion Jones is a former Canadian football kick returner and running back. Jones played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Alabama.

Jamal Morrow is a professional Canadian football running back who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaheed Salmon</span> American gridiron football player (born 1996)

Shaheed Salmon is a professional gridiron football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). After playing college football for Samford, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He played for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

References

  1. "UFL Transactions". OurSports Central. June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2011.