The Minnesota Vikings announce S Harrison Smith has signed a contract extension with the team.
In his 130 career regular-season games with 129 starts, Smith has totaled 557 solo tackles, 66 passes defended and 28 interceptions, the most in the NFL among all safeties since joining the league in 2012. Only Hall of Famer Paul Krause has started more games (150) at safety for the Vikings.
Smith was voted a Pro Bowl starter in 2019, making it his fifth consecutive season earning Pro Bowl honors. The longest-tenured Viking (10 seasons) ranks third all-time in Vikings history in tackles among defensive backs with 867 career tackles, according to coaches stats. Smith is the only player in franchise history with four career interception returns of more than 50 yards.
The Knoxville, Tennessee native also holds the franchise record among defensive backs in career sacks (13.5) and ranks seventh all-time in team history in career interceptions (28).
The veteran safety was named 1st-Team All-Pro in 2017 by the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers of America and Sporting News. In 2018, he was named 2nd-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press. Smith was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year as part of the annual Minnesota Football Honors in 2017 and 2020. Smith has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice in his career, once at Green Bay (12/23/17) and once at San Francisco (9/9/18).
2020 NFL INTERCEPTIONS
Player, Team Interceptions
Xavien Howard, Miami ……………….. 10
J.C. Jackson, New England ………… 9
Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City ……… 6
Harrison Smith, Minnesota ………. 5
Quandre Diggs, Seattle ……………… 5
Justin Simmons, Denver …………….. 5
VIKINGS CAREER INTERCEPTION RETURN TDS
Player, Seasons Interceptions TDs
Harrison Smith, 2012- ……………… 4
Darren Sharper, 2005-08 ……………. 3
Jimmy Hitchcock, 1998-99 …………. 3
Dewayne Washington, 1994-97 ….. 3
Audray McMillian, 1989-93 …………. 3
Joey Browner, 1983-91 ……………… 3
Bobby Bryant, 1968-80 ………………. 3
Ed Sharockman, 1962-72 …………… 3
Rip Hawkins, 1961-65 ……………….. 3
(info courtesy of Vikings)