Mark Smith, NFL veteran and Vicksburg native, dies

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — Mark Smith, a Vicksburg native and former NFL player, has died. News of his passing was confirmed Tuesday morning.

Smith was a standout defensive athlete at Vicksburg High School, where he graduated in the early 1990s. During his time in the Vicksburg Warren School District, he earned numerous honors, including All-Warren County, Most Outstanding Linebacker, Most Valuable Player, Best Offensive Player, Best Rebounder and Player of the Week. A three-year letterman, Smith built a reputation as a tenacious presence for the Gators.

Following high school, Smith played one season at Navarro College, where he was recognized as the No. 1 defensive player in the nation. He later transferred to Hinds Community College for his sophomore season and helped anchor one of the top defensive units in junior college football.

Smith helped lead Hinds to the nation’s top-ranked rushing defense and the No. 2 overall defense. After opening the 1994 season with a loss to Itawamba, Hinds won out in the regular season and later defeated Itawamba in the state and region championship. Smith earned Junior College All-American honors and was regarded as one of the top linebackers in the country.

After Hinds, Smith signed with Auburn University, where he played on the defensive line for two seasons.

Smith was selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and earned All-Rookie Team honors. He spent four seasons with the Cardinals before closing out his six-year NFL career with the Cleveland Browns. During his time in the league, Smith recorded 191 total tackles, 20 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Smith is a member of the Vicksburg-Warren School District Athletics Hall of Fame and the Hinds Sports Hall of Fame.