Former Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Mark Smith has died, according to reports. He was 51.
Smith died Feb. 10, according to The Vicksburg Post in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he was born. No cause of death or further details were given.
A funeral service for Smith will be held on Saturday at Vicksburg City Auditorium at 2 p.m. local time, according to Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home.
Smith, a collegiate standout at Auburn, played six seasons in the NFL from 1997-2002. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft and burst onto the scene with six sacks as a rookie and nine sacks in his second season. He played his first four seasons in Arizona from 1997-2000, making 24 starts in 46 games.
After four seasons with the Cardinals, Smith signed with the Browns, where he made 11 starts in 16 games during the 2001 season. However, Smith’s NFL career ended when he was released by the Browns five games in to the 2002 season.
In six NFL seasons, Smith recorded 199 tackles, 20 sacks, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 67 games played, including 35 starts.