<italics>The Hall of Fame defensive end out of Virginia Tech turned 51 years old on June 18, 2014. The first overall pick of the 1985 NFL draft, Bruce Smith is the league’s all-tme sacks leader with 200. In his 19-year career (15 with Buffalo, 4 with Washington), Smith made 11 Pro Bowls and was an 8-time First-Team All-Pro.</italics> Bruce Smith had an all-state high school career at Booker T. Washington High School, and received an athletic scholarship to play at Virginia Tech. Smith was selected for the All-America Team in 1984.

Smith had a career total of 46 sacks while at Virginia Tech — 22 of which came in his junior season. He also received first team All-America honors.

The young Smith recorded 71 tackles for loss, amounting to 504 yards lost for opponents. Smith was awarded the Outland Trophy, an award for the top lineman in the nation.

Smith poses with his family outside the 1985 NFL Draft. Smith was the number one overall pick.

NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle fits Smith for his new jersey during the NFL Draft on April 20.

Smith sacks Bears QB Jim McMahon on Oct. 2.

Smith tackles Houston Oilers QB Warren Moon in a 17-10 playoff win on Jan 1.

Smith celebrates after a play against the Oilers on Jan. 1.

Smith looks on during a playoff win against the Oilers.

Smith takes down Patriots QB Doug Flutie on Oct. 1.

Bruce Smith looks on during the 1990 Pro Bowl in a year he made 19 sacks and 101 tackles.

Smith and the Bills defeated the LA Raiders on Jan. 20 to advance to the Super Bowl.

Smith during a Super Bowl XXV press conference.

Smith sacks Giants QB Jeff Hostetler for a safety in Super Bowl XXV. Despite Smith’s efforts, the Bills lost, 20-19.

Following a year with a career high in sacks, Smith was sidelined for a large portion of 1991 with knee problems.

Smith celebrates during the AFC Championship game against the Broncos. Smith had a sack as the Bills won, 10-7.

Smith is surrounded by media during a press conference before Super Bowl XXVI.

Oilers QB Warren Moon takes Smith’s help after being knocked to the ground during a playoff game.

Smith addresses the media before Super Bowl XXVII.

Smith looks on before the game at Super Bowl XXVII.

Smith leans over Chiefs QB Joe Montana. Smith’s tackle caused a concussion, forcing Montana to leave the game.

Smith smiles during a press conference before Super Bowl XXVIII.

Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith attempts to turn away as Bruce Smith dives to make the tackle.

Smith leaps past blockers in pursuit of Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe.

Smith celebrates a sack on Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe. He forced Bledsoe to fumble, and the Bills recovered the ball for a touchdown.

Smith pursues Chiefs QB Joe Montana during a 44-10 victory. Smith had two sacks in the game.

Recovering from shoulder surgery, Smith looks on with head coach Marv Levy during the first practice of training camp.

Smith signs autographs for young fans after a practice for the 1996 Pro Bowl on Jan. 31.

Cowboys QB Troy Aikman and Smith converse during a Bills victory on Sept. 22.

Smith halts Colts RB Marshall Faulk’s progress on one of his 1,078 career tackles.

Celebrating a defensive play against the Dolphins, Smith leaps into the air.

Smith looks serious during a photo shoot.

Bruce Smith poses by the pool in a Virginia Beach photo shoot.

Smith wallops Dolphins QB Dan Marino in a Nov. 17 game.

Bruce Smith poses during a photo shoot.

Jaguars QB Mark Brunell experiences the full force of one of Smith’s 200 career sacks.

Smith puts away Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe behind the line.

About to make a sack, Smith lunges toward Dolphins QB Damon Huard.

Defensive ends Bruce Smith and Marcellus Wiley take down Colts QB Peyton Manning on Jan. 2. The interception Manning threw would be called back as the Bills were penalized for roughing the passer.

The Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith makes a sack on Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb at Veterans Stadium.

Smith speaks with Ray Lewis before a game on Oct. 15.

Mean Joe Greene, the Cardinals’ defensive line coach, congratulates Smith after the Redskins won 20-3. Smith made his 10th sack of the season, giving him 13 seasons with double-digit sacks.

Deuce McAllister walks by as Smith celebrates a play against the Saints.

Smith sacks Vinny Testaverde in a Jets-Redskins contest on Sept. 4.

Smith waves to the crowd in Buffalo after his only game against his former team. The Redskins lost the game, 24-7.

Smith sacks the Seahawks’ Hasselbeck in a 27-20 Redskins win. The sack placed Smith half a sack behind Reggie White’s all-time record.

Bruce Smith and Michael Strahan participate in Strahan’s charity golf tournament.

After being selected for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame, Smith speaks to the media in Tampa, FL on Jan. 31.

Smith’s former Bills head coach Marv Levy congratulates him during the Hall of Fame class of 2009 press conference.

Smith with former Bills teammates Thurman Thomas and Jim Kelly following his 2009 Hall of Fame induction. Smith’s 200 career sacks are an all-time NFL record.

Smith acknowledges the crowd while on the field before his alma mater, Virginia Tech, takes on Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.