Smith Leaves Vikings at Top of His Game

M I N N E A P O L I S, Feb. 8, 2001 -- Robert Smith is trading in his footballuniform, perhaps for a lab coat.

Smith hasn't said what he will do next, only that it won't beplaying running back for the Minnesota Vikings or anyone else inthe NFL.

The agent for the 28-year-old running back, Neil Cornrich,confirmed Wednesday that Smith is retiring after eight seasons withthe Vikings. Smith is leaving the NFL at the top of his game, muchlike 31-year-old Barry Sanders before the 1999 season, and at theheight of his earning power as an unrestricted free agent.

Career in Medicine?

Cornrich dismissed the idea that the oft-injured back, whorecently underwent a third knee operation, was tired of thepounding.

"He could easily play five more years without jeopardizing hishealth," Cornrich said. "He just decided to go in anotherdirection."

That direction is uncertain, although Smith has said he mightconsider a career as a medical researcher. He pursued a historydegree with a strong emphasis on science at Ohio State and isinterested in a variety of topics such as calculus, moleculargenetics and classical music.

Last season, he said he thought he would be in medical school bynow.

"I enjoy football more than I thought I would," Smith told theSaint Paul Pioneer Press. "I honestly didn't think I would play aslong as I have. But once you're out there and enjoying it, it'scompletely different."

In a brief statement Tuesday to The Plain Dealer,Smith let his reasons for leaving remain a mystery. In thestatement, Smith thanked his family and friends, fans and theVikings organization.

"I also wanted to thank my teammates and coaches for believingin me throughout my career," he said.

The retirement leaves a large hole in the Vikings' offense.

Smith, the Vikings' first-round pick in 1993, led the NFC byrushing last season with 1,521 yards in his first complete 16-gameseason. He broke the organization's career rushing record, held byChuck Foreman, with 6,818 yards.

"Robert has always been a guy that the National Football Leaguehas been able to count on as a shining example of quality characteroff the field and 100 percent effort on the field," coach DennisGreen said.

Desirable Free-Agent

"Robert's decision to retire, as everyone knows, comes off hisbest season ever as a running back for the Minnesota Vikings. Heleaves the game on top and is looking forward to his nextchallenge."

Smith rushed for 32 touchdowns and averaged 4.8 yards per carryduring his career despite injuries and health problems. He hurtboth knees and ankles and had a serious case of chicken pox.

Along with Cincinnati's Corey Dillon, he was considered theNFL's most desired free-agent running back and was expected to signa contract that would have exceeded his last five-year, $25 milliondeal.

Cornrich said he was optimistic that Smith, who had a goodrelationship with Green, would re-sign with the Vikings despite theorganization's salary cap limitations and the lure of the openmarket. Cornrich said Smith wasn't concerned about walking awayfrom a big free-agent payday.

"He would've had unlimited financial opportunities," Cornrichsaid. "But this was not a financial decision."

Smith was deeply disappointed, however, by the Vikings' 41-0loss to the New York Giants in the NFC championship game and by thefinal two months of his season, in which he rushed for only 248yards in five games.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl, but did not play because ofknee surgery.

The Vikings had made re-signing Smith a top priority, thoughthey are expected to have to cut about $20 million to meet the 2001salary cap limit.

Smith's backup, Moe Williams, rushed for only 67 yards lastseason. The Vikings could use the money they planned to spend onSmith on another top free-agent back such as Dillon or the SanFrancisco 49ers' Charlie Garner. Dillon rushed for 1,453 yards lastseason, and Garner rushed for 1,142.