The Chiefs DT talks sacks, fines, potential NFL lockouts, the resurgence of Kansas City, and what it’s like to give back to the community

SCOTT JACOBS

Shaun Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs is the definition of a big dude. Listed at 6′2, 325 pounds the 29 year old defensive tackle out of South Carolina is one tough run stopper. Though he’s gotten some bad publicity this season for some alleged incidents on the field, Smith has been cleared of any wrongdoing. A tough guy on the grid-iron, Smith is a great guy off of it. Born in Brooklyn, Smith started his 91 Ways Foundation so that he could give back to the inner city.

I had a chance to chat with Shaun on Thursday and he was a great sport, answering any questions I threw his way, while showing a genuine and good-hearted nature that the media doesn’t give him enough credit for. I came away from our conversation with a genuine respect for him and all the great work he does off the field. He also had a hell of a game last Sunday against Seattle, registering a sack, while also scoring a rushing touchdown in Kansas City’s big win over the Seahawks.

So without further adieu, here in it’s entirety is my chat with Shaun. If the audio wasn’t so grainy, I would’ve posted it as well.

Juiced Sports: You have 3 sacks for your NFL career and one of them was last week. What’s it like to take down an NFL quarterback?
Shaun Smith: It feels good. I don’t usually get to the quarterback often. I’m pretty much known as a guy who stops the run. It’s funny, going into the game I told my teammates that I was going to get 2 sacks. I only got one sack, but I also got a touchdown. Which is funny, because that was my first time playing up there in Seattle. I’ve never played there before. It was just a good game also because we got the W.

JS: As a defensive player have you had to change your game at all to avoid getting fined or suspended since the NFL instituted this new tougher rule policy?
SS: No I mean, I still play hard. Football is football. I did get fined one time and I appealed it it and won so I’ve still never been fined. I think they’re really just looking out for our players safety as far as these fines are concerned but I really don’t think guys do it intentionally either. I don’t try to hurt this guy or do this or that.

JS: The Kansas City Chiefs were 4-12 last year, 4-12 in 2008, and 4-12 in 2007. All of a sudden you show up and the Chiefs are 7-4 and leading the wild AFC West. Why has this team made such an impressive turnaround so quickly in your opinion? Is it all you?
SS: Haha, nah man, it’s not all about me. I mean, I play a part in it. Just like all 53 guys on our roster, plus all the guys on our practice squad. It’s a team effort. We installed that in Kansas City and we’ve drafted some young guys in the first round and they came up and have been playing good ball for us on the defensive side of the ball. Also you’ve got two great running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, big wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. I mean we’ve got a pretty good team. Also our quarterback {Matt Cassell} was AFC Player of the month. We’ve been playing good football due to the coaching staff also. Todd Haley and those guys put out a good game plan for us to go out there and execute.

I think they’re really just looking out for our players safety as far as these fines are concerned but I really don’t think guys do it intentionally either. I don’t try to hurt this guy or do this or that.

JS: Your teammate Dwayne Bowe had a ridiculous game last week, with 13 catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns. What’s it like to have a talent like Bowe on the team?
SS: He’s a good dude. He works hard in practice. He’s a young guy, a young receiver, an up and coming talent. That’s gonna make him a lot of money. Scoring all these touchdowns, coming up with the big plays. He’s not only catching the ball he’s also blocking too you know. He’s playing good all around football. It’s good to see him scoring touchdowns.

JS: You and Bowe scoring touchdowns.
SS: Haha

JS: There’s been a lot of talk about the NFL possibly going to an 18 game schedule after the collective bargaining agreement expires after this season. What’s your opinion on the possibility of an 18 game season?
SS:It’s all good if you get paid more I guess. We already play basically an 18 game season and 4 preseason games too.

JS: What about concerns that players are getting hurt a lot already during the NFL’s 16 game season and that going to 18 would only make that worse?
SS: I wouldn’t say that, because there’s always a risk. When you look at it from both sides there’s always a risk of getting hurt anytime. One game, 20 games, 6 games, you know what I mean, anytime. So you can’t really say that.

JS: As an an NFL player do you guys talk about the potential of a lockout? Are plans being made in case there is one? Is that sort of on the back burner?
SS: Yeah, it’s not on the back burner. I think guys realize it. We talk about it. The Union does a good job of getting the information out, the most accurate and up to date information about everything that’s going on. Each team has a player rep so if you have any questions you got a couple of reps on each team that you can go up to and they’ll explain whatever you need to know.

JS: You were in the news in mid-October for allegedly grabbing another player’s private parts. You appealed, you won. Still there was a lot of attention paid to it by the media. What was that time like and did that extra attention affect you and your family?
SS: I do a turkey drive for Thanksgiving, the Christmas drive, the toy drives I do, the stuff I do with schools and the kids. You know. I don’t understand. It affects you. I told the truth. It was told. It was shown. They say you’re innocent until proven guilty. I was innocent. There were accusations, but you can’t never believe accusations. The truth will always set you free about anything.

JS: You played for South Carolina for two years. This weekend the Gamecocks will play in their first SEC Title game. In addition to that they have the opportunity to knock Auburn and Cam Newton out of the National Championship game. How closely do you follow South Carolina and what do you think it would mean to them to win the SEC?
SS: Man, it would mean a lot. There’s nothing like Gamecocks right now. It would be something for them to win the SEC, especially the first time they get there. I’m glad for the guys, I wish I could be there. But you know, I have a game. I’ll be watching it though.

“I like giving back. I just like seeing the smiles that you put on people’s faces, especially when you’re able to help.”

JS: Where will you be watching it?
SS: Probably in my apartment. I get to stay at home this week. I’ve got my Gamecocks shirt that I’m going to wear. I might wear that shirt this weekend the first day after they get that W.

JS: What do you make of the job that Steve Spurrier has done with that team and with that school?
SS: He’s done a terrific job. A tremendous job. Period. Nothing against Lou Holtz either. I mean when I was there, we went to bowl games, so I can’t be mad about that. We played in the Outback Bowl. That’s just part of coaching. When they brought Spurrier in, the program he’s built. Wherever he’s been he’s always had success, like at Florida when he built that program. So hopefully he’ll continue to have success there and when he leaves, South Carolina will still continue to have success.

JS: You are a part of the Rujohn Foundation and each year you team with Laurence Maroney, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Rudi Johnson and Cleveland Cavaliers G Delonte to host football and basketball camps in Jamaica. How did that get started? What’s it like to be a part of that?
SS: It’s good to be a part of that. We get to go over there and show these kids about football and play some football. Teach them some basketball, go out there play some basketball. To see those smiles you know, there’s talent over there. You never know when you’ll find the next great wide receiver, running back, offensive lineman, defensive lineman. There’s talent over the area. All over. You never never know where you’ll find that hidden gem. There’s a few talented kids over there too.

JS: It says on your bio that you’re married with three kids, and they’re all different age ranges. As an NFL player with a nice big family, what it’s like juggling home life with the grind of the NFL workload?
SS: It’s always good to have a family there as a backbone. Through everything. To support you whether it’s the good times or the bad times. I just love that I’ll be able to take care of my kids and show them a good life. What life is all about and just have fun. I go through the hard things like practice and training camp and things like that, and it’s like ‘why would you do this?’ It’s hard. I just continue to do as much as I can.

JS: You have any future athletes in your family?
SS: My son is pretty good. He plays safety and running back. He’s a junior in high school. He’s gotten a few letters from Syracuse, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Iowa, and somebody else. We’ll just see. We’ll see what’s shaking with him.

JS: Let’s talk about your 91 Ways Foundation. You and rapper/producer Ron Browz distributed 91 free turkeys to two different places for Thanksgiving as a part of your 91 Ways Foundation. First off, where did the name 91 ways come about? And second, tell us about what it’s like to give back to the inner city, you yourself being from Brooklyn?
SS: 91 came from my jersey, when I first signed with Cleveland. It was just something I wanted to do. I wanted to give back. I was able to give back to other people and so I started my own foundation to give back. I like giving back. I just like seeing the smiles that you put on people’s faces, especially when you’re able to help. Some people don’t even know what they’re going to do for Thanksgiving. Some people are hanging around and don’t even have the money to buy a turkey. I was able to give them that with some sides. Some canned goods. It felt good. That’s why you want to give thanks for everything you do. I mean, it’s a blessing to play this game of football, especially something that I love to do. A lot of people go to work every day to a crappy job. I get to do something that I actually wanted to do in life.

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For more on Smith’s 91 Ways Foundation check out:
http://www.shaunsmith91.com/91Ways

For more on the Rujohn Foundation check out:
http://www.rujohnfoundation.com/

Photo: Getty

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