Fred Smerlas
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| Position: | Nose tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | April 8, 1957 Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 295 lb (134 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Waltham | ||||||||
| College: | Boston College | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1979: 2nd round, 32nd pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Frederic Charles Smerlas (born April 8, 1957) is an American former professional football player who was a nose tackle for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). A five-time Pro Bowl selection with the Buffalo Bills, he also played for the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots.
Smerlas, of Greek-American descent, graduated from Waltham High School in 1975, where he was a star football player and wrestler. He became a defensive lineman for Boston College before embarking on an NFL career. Smerlas' 1990 autobiography, By a Nose, recounts his 11 years with the Bills and their climb from cellar-dwellers to Super Bowl contenders.
Smerlas currently resides in Massachusetts and is a part-time co-host during football season on sports radio WEEI-FM, NBC Sports Boston - The New England Tailgate Show, as well as a contributor to western New York radio station WHAM (AM) in Rochester.
In 2018, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Smerlas to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2018.
Two Time, Two sport All American in Wrestling and Football in High School; Two time New England heavyweight wrestling champ.
During Smerlas' playing career, he was the only player in the NFL who was of Greek descent.