Fred Smoot brought his personality, leadership and toughness back to the Redskins in the 2007 season after a two-year hiatus with the Minnesota Vikings (2005-06). Prior to joining the Vikings, Smoot spent four seasons with the Redskins (2001-04). He became the first Redskins player to lead the team in interceptions for three consecutive seasons (2001-03) since Norb Hecker in 1955-57. Last season, he battled through a nagging hamstring injury to appear in 13 games (11 starts) and was inactive for three contests. Against his former team, Smoot picked off QB Tarvaris Jackson and returned the pick 47 yards in a 32-21 win at Minnesota (12/23).
NFL Acquisition: Selected by the Washington Redskins in the second round (45th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft
How Acquired: Re-signed with the Washington Redskins on March 3, 2007, following two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2005-06)
Pro:
Played in 98 career games with 89 starts
Has played with the Washington Redskins (2001-04, 2007) and the Minnesota Vikings (2005 and 2006)
Tallied 374 career tackles (312 solo), 20 interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries
Became the first Redskins player to lead the team in interceptions in three consecutive seasons (2001-03) since Norm Hecker (1955-57)
2007 Season (WAS):
Played in 13 regular-season games with 11 starts (inactive at Philadelphia (9/17), vs. New York Giants (9/23) and at New England (10/28) with a hamstring injury)
Tallied 57 tackles (50 solo) and one interception
Tied a career high with five passes defensed at the NY Giants (12/16)
Appeared and started in his first career playoff game at Seattle (1/5)
2006 Season (MIN):
Appeared in 14 regular-season games with 11 starts (inactive vs. Green Bay (11/12) to attend to a family matter and missed final game vs. St. Louis (12/31))
Totaled 64 tackles (54 solo), one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery
Was placed on Vikings reserve/non-football injury list prior to the season finale vs. St. Louis (12/31)
Returned first career interception (with Minnesota) for a touchdown at Green Bay (12/21), picking off Brett Favre and returning it 47 yards for the score, the longest return of his career and the longest return by a Viking in 2006
2005 Season (MIN):
Played in 11 regular-season games with eight starts (inactive for four games at NY Giants (11/13), at Green Bay (11/21), vs. Cleveland (11/27) and at Detroit (12/4) with a collarbone injury. Also did not play vs. Chicago (1/1))
Totaled 44 tackles (41 solo) and two interceptions
Posted a career-best 10 tackles at Carolina (10/30) and had a single-game and career-high five passes defensed vs. New Orleans (9/25)
2004 Season (WAS):
Appeared in and started 15 contests (inactive for the season finale vs. Minnesota (1/2) with a lower back injury)
Racked up 57 tackles (45 solo), three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery
2003 Season (WAS):
Appeared in and started 15 regular-season games (inactive vs. Buffalo (10/19) because of a bruised sternum)
Became the first Redskins player to lead the team in interceptions for three consecutive seasons (2001-03) since Norb Hecker (1955-57) as the only other Redskin to accomplish the feat
Tallied 58 tackles (47 solo) and four interceptions
Received the Redskins’ Ed Block Courage Award, as well as being named Quarterback Club Player of the Year
2002 Season (WAS):
Started all 16 regular-season contests and recorded 61 tackles (46 solo), four interceptions and one forced fumble
Led the team with four interceptions and posted a career-high 24 passes defensed
Recorded his first career fumble recovery at Dallas (11/28)
Had a career-high two interceptions at Tennessee (10/6)
2001 Season (WAS):
Appeared in 14 regular-season games with 13 starts (inactive for games vs. Carolina (10/21) and vs. New York Giants (10/28) with a knee injury)
Amassed 33 tackles (29 solo), five interceptions and one fumble recovery
Led the team with a career-high five interceptions
Posted an interception and fumble recovery in his first career start in the regular-season opener at San Diego (9/9)
Earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, Football News, The Sporting News, College Football News, and the Walter Camp Foundation as a senior at Mississippi State
Was one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back as a senior in 2000
Attended Provine High School in Jackson, Mississippi
Played in the Mississippi/Alabama High School All-Star game after a standout senior season
Has an energy bar called ’Fred Smoot’s Smack Energy Bar"
Joined his teammates and coaches at Beach Blitz - powered by Dominion for a two-day fan festival this past offseason in Virginia Beach
