Bruce Smith is a former NFL defensive end who played for the Buffalo Bills (1985-1999) and the Washington Redskins (200-2003). Before entering the NFL Bruce Smith was a dominate defensive lineman at Virginia Tech University. At the college level Smith earned the nickname "The Sack Man" which foreshadowed his success in the NFL. As a Hokie he had 71 tackles behind the line of scrimmage for a total loss of 504 yards and 46 sacks. In 1984 he won the Outland trophy that is awarded to the best defensive lineman in the country. 

In 1985 Bruce Smith was selected first overall by the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Draft. Smith continued his career as a sack specialist and helped lead the Bills to four consecutive AFC Championships. In his time with the Buffalo Bills Smith recorded 171 sacks, a milestone that some have said will be unreachable for future Bills. Smith was also named Defensive Player of the Year four times with the Bills (1987, 1988, 1990, 1996) and an eleven time Pro-Bowler (1987-1990, 1992-1998). 

In the 2000 season, Smith signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins where he posted 58 tackles and ten sacks in his first season. In 2003 he passed Reggie White's record of 198 sacks and set the NFL all-time sack record at 200. Bruce Smith would then retire as one of the best defensive players in NFl history and earned a spot in both the NFL Hall of Fame and NCAA Hall of Fame. The Buffalo Bills would also go on to retire his jersey #78.