Perhaps it’s fitting that Anthony Barr, who suffered injuries that cut his career short, perfectly encapsulated Harrison Smith’s longevity in the NFL.
“The year is 2058,” he wrote on Instagram two years ago. “Harrison is entering his 46th season as a Viking. Asked why he continues to play, he smiles and replies, ‘f– you.
“The legend continues.”
Barr posted that when Smith announced he was returning for his 13th season two years ago. Smith, 36, is in his 14th season with the Minnesota Vikings, and played his 200th game on Sunday. He’s not the player he once was in his prime, but he still makes an impact.
“To be on the field with a guy with that kind of experience, that kind of impact, just that kind of person is special,” said Josh Metellus, whose locker is next to Smith’s and was wearing his jersey after the Chicago Bears game on Sunday. “As you can see, I’m gonna shout him out any chance I get, because that’s a special guy.”
Harrison Smith arrived at Sunday’s game in an Irish cap and a peacoat, touting a handheld leather bag. He’s always been quiet off the field and disruptive on it.
Smith is still in peak shape, using medieval training to remain in a league with players a decade younger than him. In a physical sport where careers last an average of two-and-a-half years, he’s been a steadying presence for a team with inconsistent results every year.
“I told him before the game, I said, ‘That’s it, man. I’m at a loss for words,’” Blake Cashman said. “Not many people get to have that privilege, and that’s a testament to everything [Smith has] done in his career, not only on the field but off the field, taking care of his body.
“He’s a very special player, and he’s a special guy, too.”
Smith handled questions about his longevity in a very Harrison Smith way. He’s always understated, especially as he’s grown older. Gone is his flowing hair and even the mullet. He speaks calmly and intentionally, and often dresses like he’s working a nine-to-five.
“I mean, it’s something I didn’t set out to do,” he said, regarding playing 200 games, “but the small group of guys that have done it with the Vikings is pretty special.”
Only five people have played 200 games with the Vikings in their 65-year history:
Hall of Fame offensive tackle Ron Yary previously tied Smith with 199.
Smith is the 122nd in NFL history to reach 200 regular-season games with one team. Nine of them are defensive backs, including Hall of Famers Darrell Green (295), Ronde Barber (241), Jimmy Johnson (213), Ken Riley (207), Donnie Shell (201), and Mel Blount (200).
“Murph and I joked about this week how far we are just from 100,” Metellus, who has played in 92 games, said. Murphy has played in 97. “We’re not that far, actually. But we haven’t even played half the games he’s played.”
Smith is also one of seven players in NFL history to record 20 sacks and 30 interceptions. The others are Barber, LeRoy Butler, Brian Dawkins, Rodney Harrison, and Charles Woodson. Only Smith isn’t in the Hall of Fame.
Smith has always spoken softly and played a loud game. After discussing his 200th game with the media, he straightened his cap, adjusted his coat, and picked his leather bag off the ground. Then he disappeared into a mass of players in Minnesota’s locker room.
He’d done his work for the day.