Fansided
Fansided

NFL Greatest Unsung Heroes In History of All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 32
Next
17 Jan 1999: Chuck Smith #90 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings at the H. H. H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Falcons defeated the Vikings 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
17 Jan 1999: Chuck Smith #90 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings at the H. H. H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Falcons defeated the Vikings 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport /

Atlanta Falcons

DE. Atlanta Falcons. Chuck Smith . 2. player. 44.

The memory of Chuck Smith in NFL lore is a faint one and that’s such a shame. He was the best pass rusher the Atlanta Falcons had for a considerable stretch of the 1990s, topping double digits three different times in six seasons as a starter. Yet he never managed to make a Pro Bowl, so it’s difficult to bring up his name in team history alongside the greats.

This is so tragic because Smith made easily one of the most pivotal plays any Falcon ever has. It came in the fabled 1998 NFC championship game. The instant classic against the Minnesota Vikings. People forget how close that game became to being a blowout. Atlanta trailed 20-7 late in the second quarter with the Vikings getting the ball again. One more score, even a field goal would put it out of reach.

Then Smith came to the rescue, sacking Randall Cunningham while forcing and recovering a fumble. That singular brilliant play led to a Falcons touchdown right before the end of the half, making it 20-14. Atlanta went on to win in overtime 30-27 to reach their first Super Bowl.

Home/Power Rankings