As his name blared over the loud speakers on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium, Harrison Smith slowly walked into sight before sprinting onto the field to a massive ovation from the Vikings’ home crowd.
It’s fitting that Smith was the last player out of the tunnel ahead of his 200th game in the NFL. Originally selected in the first round of the 2012 draft out of Notre Dame, the 36-year-old safety has spent his whole career with the Vikings.
“It’s something that I didn’t set out to think I’d do,” Smith said. “To be in a small group of guys that have done it with the Vikings is pretty special.”
The others players in franchise history with at least 200 games include Jim Marshall (270), Mick Tingelhoff (240), Fred Cox (210), Carl Eller (209) and Scott Studwell (201).
Asked about the incredible feat last week in the lead up to the game between the Vikings and the Chicago Bears, Kevin O’Connell showered Smith with praise, saying he’s among his favorite players he has ever coached.
“He’s such a special person,” O’Connell said. “If they were all like Harrison Smith, we would be very fortunate.”
The stats speak for themselves as Smith has recorded 1,157 tackles, 20 1/2 sacks, 37 interceptions, and 13 forced fumbles in his career. He has posted those numers while serving as the lifeblood of the defense, snap in and snap out, for well over a decade.
What is the secret to his longevity?
“I do a pretty good job taking care of my body,” Smith said. “I’m pretty conscious of what I do and what I don’t do.”
Asked about Smith playing as long as he has the NFL, Josh Metellus shook his head in disbelief, adding that he talked about the number with some of his teammates.
“We haven’t even played half the games he’s played,” Metellus said with a laugh. “To be on the field with a guy with that kind of experience is special. I’m going to shout him out every chance I get. That’s a special guy.”
As the Vikings prepared for kickoff against the Bears, Smith got to experience another cool wrinkle, as his wife Madison, his daughter Eleanor and son Pierce sounded the Gjallarhorn and led the Skol Chant pregame.
“That’s something special that will be pretty cool to look back on for a long time,” Smith said. “My wife was pretty nervous. It looked like she did a good job. My kids did as well.”
As he talked to reporters after the game, Smith tried his best to put everything in perceptive, even if he admitted that the Vikings suffering a 19-17 loss to the Bears as time expired put a damper on the moment.
“It’s hard not to think about the game,” Smith said. “That’s why I’m here.”
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