No. 22, 28, 43 | |||||||||||||
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Position: | Running back / Return specialist | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Date of birth: | July 4, 1985 | ||||||||||||
Place of birth: | Fresno, California | ||||||||||||
Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Fresno (CA) Edison | ||||||||||||
College: | Fresno State | ||||||||||||
Undrafted: | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Kick return TDs: | 1 |
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Punt return TDs: | 1 |
Rushing yards: | 17 |
Rushing TDs: | 1 |
Fumbles: | 2 |
Player stats at NFL.com |
Clifton Smith, Jr. (born July 4, 1985) is a former American football running back and return specialist who played in the National Football League, Canadian Football League and United Football League. He played college football for Fresno State. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2008, and has also played for the NFL's Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns.
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.