Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is poised to join an illustrious group during Week 11’s matchup with the Chicago Bears.
A 14-year NFL veteran, Smith is set to play in his 200th career game on Sunday at home, the team announced on Thursday, November 13. After missing the first two games of the season due to a personal health issue, Smith will become the sixth Vikings player to reach the landmark number, joining the late Jim Marshall, Mick Tinglehoff, Fred Cox, Carl Eller and Scott Studwell.
Smith’s 200th career game is a testament to not only his sustained success over 14 seasons in the NFL but also his health and love for the game. Smith has played 13 or more games for 12 of the past 13 seasons.
Smith is the NFL’s active leader in interceptions with 37 picks in his career. This season is likely Smith’s final season as a player, with his contract set to expire next year.
How Does Harrison Smith Rank All-Time? Breaking Down the Vikings Star’s Hall of Fame Bid
Smith has had one of the most impressive runs at the safety position in NFL history, but the bar to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame is daunting, even with his resume.
The hall of fame has a backlog of incredible talents who may never get the recognition they deserve due to the weight championships play in the selection.
Smith has the personal accolades.
“He has more sacks and interceptions than Hall of Famers John Lynch and Troy Polamalu. He has six Pro Bowls, which is more than Hall of Fame finalist Rodney Harrison, 2023 inductee Ronde Barber, 2022 inductee Leroy Butler,” Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller wrote. “No other active safety has six Pro Bowls and Earl Thomas is the only player who started post 2010 with more (7).”
The analytics show that Smith has made an immense impact on the team for over a decade. However, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has begun to narrow its classes to preserve itself as the highest honor of football.
But that won’t stop many of the game’s greats from advocating for him.
“I think he’s Hall of Fame worthy,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores told Coller. “I don’t want to say ‘cemented’ that but there should be conversation around that whenever he decides to move forward.”
Kevin O’Connell Speaks on Harrison Smith’s Impact on Vikings
To date, Smith has 1,157 combined tackles,43 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, 99 passes defensed, 37 interceptions and four pick-sixes.
But beyond the numbers, Smith has made an impact with his character on the Vikings’ organization.
“Harrison Smith is one of my all-time favorite players I’ve had the chance to be around as a coach,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said in 2024. “I feel very fortunate to have been in the head coach position with a guy like Harrison that I can build a relationship with, such experience, such an incredible presence within our locker room. He’s got a great way about him at all times that makes people around him better. I think he’s been huge in the implementation of our defense this year with Flo [Brian Flores] and D.J. [Daronte Jones] and those guys on that side of the ball. I’ve been really happy with the way Harrison has really attacked his role within the defense, but also the value of him as a captain and a leader of our team. I just can’t say enough about what he’s meant to me, what he’s meant to this organization.”
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