|
 The Bills announced Wednesday that Smith's jersey number will be
retired at halftime of the Bills' Week 2 game on Thursday night,
Sept. 15.
The 52-year-old Smith will join quarterback Jim Kelly as the only
other player in Bills franchise history with his number retired.
Kelly's No. 12 was retired in 2001.
The Bills have not issued No. 78 to any player since Smith's final
season with the team in 1999.
"On behalf of Terry and Kim Pegula and the entire Bills
organization, we feel this is a tremendous opportunity to honor
Bruce and his Hall of Fame career," Bills president Russ Brandon
said in a statement.
"We believe it's going to be a great night for Bruce, his family and
Bills fans everywhere."
Smith is the NFL's all-time leader with 200 career sacks. He played
15 seasons (1985-99) with the Bills and four seasons (2000-03) with
the Washington Redskins.
 "I'm humbled beyond words," Smith said Wednesday during a conference
call with reporters. "Where this fits I think is right at the top
with being inducted into the Hall of Fame. I'm very grateful and
thankful."
Smith, the first overall selection of the 1985 draft, was an 11-time
Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was
inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
- - -
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman had surgery on his
left foot during the offseason, but he is expected to be back in
time for training camp.
The recent procedure was the second surgery on his left foot within
the past year. According to ESPN, this surgery was considered a
"cleanup procedure" and is not expected to affect Edelman's 2016
season.
Edelman was seen recently wearing a boot on his foot while riding a
motorized vehicle to get from place to place in New York City.
Edelman broke his left foot in a game in November. He had surgery at
that time and screw was inserted into his foot. He missed the rest
of the regular season, but returned for the postseason.
Edelman, who turns 30 on May 22, played in nine regular-season games
in 2015, and caught 61 passes for 692 yards and seven touchdowns. In
two playoff games, he had 17 receptions for 153 yards and no scores.
- - -
[to top of second column] |
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker, who continues to lobby for
Ryan Fitzpatrick's return, says he was surprised when the team
drafted quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the second round.
"I was a little surprised, to be honest with you," Decker told
ESPN.com at a charity event in Manhattan, where he was honored by
the United Way of New York City.
"But Mike (Maccagnan, the general manager) and his scouts do their
research and homework for a reason and they saw something special
with him. I guess they wanted him earlier than later."
The Jets drafted the Penn State quarterback with the No. 51 pick in
the 2016 draft.
Decker and other teammates have come out in support of the Jets
bringing back the unsigned Fitzpatrick as their starting
quarterback.
Fitzpatrick and the Jets remain far apart on reaching a deal. The
Jets reportedly have offered Fitzpatrick between $7 million and $8
million per year and the veteran is thought to be seeking twice that
amount.
Fitzpatrick, 33, had a career year with the Jets last season,
throwing for 3,905 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in
his first year with the Jets. Fitzpatrick led the Jets to a 10-6
record and set the franchise mark for touchdown passes.
- - - (Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
