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Recognition as one of the top players in Nebraska football history means a lot to Neil Smith.
"When you look at that program from the beginning to where it is now, that's a great honor," Smith said of his No. 21 ranking on The World-Herald's list of the 50 greatest Husker players of the century. "I look at that like winning my first Super Bowl."
Smith, in his 12th National Football League season, won two Super Bowls as a defensive end with the Denver Broncos. The Huskers never reached their goal of a national championship during Smith's career, which ended in 1987. He played on teams that produced a 29-7 record and was an All-America defensive tackle as a senior. Smith said NU Defensive Coordinator Charlie McBride made it all possible.
"Coach McBride was the big key for me," Smith said by phone from Denver. "I had some technical ability, and I had all the agility. But he really put it all into me and made me one of the best."
The Kansas City Chiefs made him the No. 2 pick overall in the 1988 NFL draft. He played nine seasons with the Chiefs before signing as a free agent with Denver in 1997.
Smith, a six-time Pro Bowl choice, said McBride was hard on his players.
"I've heard he's gotten a little softer lately. Maybe if he wasn't so hard on us we would have some national championships, too," he joked.
Smith said he's enjoyed watching McBride's 1999 defense, especially its play in the 22-6 win over Texas in the Big 12 Conference championship game.
"What really impresses me is the way they attack the line of scrimmage," Smith said. "I was on the edge of my seat and cheering those sacks."
Smith has been a sack specialist in the NFL, with 103 in his career. He's one of 16 players in NFL history with more than 100 sacks.
Smith, 33, is making a comeback of sorts this season. He saw limited playing time early in the year. Now he's back in the starting lineup with five sacks.
"Everything's going good for me personally," he said. "I'm coming off a very serious injury (torn lower abdominal muscle) last year. I had to work very hard to get back where I could compete at a high level. Now I'm feeling very good and trying to finish the season on a positive note."
The Broncos have struggled to a 4-8 season after winning the last two Super Bowls. Smith said he's been able to handle the difficult year.
"It's something as a veteran I can really face up to," he said. "I've been on some bad teams and some great teams, two Super Bowl teams. The positive thing is I'm still healthy. That's not being selfish. This team has gone through some really rough things. We had a lot of guys retire, guys go to free agency, and we've been hit with a lot of injuries. I'm not using that as a crutch. We just haven't had much of the team together, and it shows."
Smith said he won't be ready to call it quits after this year.
"I'll just play until they run me out of the league," Smith said. "To be honest, I'm not going to put an end to it. I want to play another two or three years and finish on a good note - on top."
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