Week 1 Kickoff Countdown: Vinson Smith is the Greatest #57

Another day, another dollar, as the old saying goes.

But in my case, another day, another Countdown to Kickoff post.

Currently, we sit 57 Days until we see arguably the G.O.A.T Mr. Tom Brady visit the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, and as much as I would love to discuss that matchup, we got some business to handle.

On Saturday, I dropped a Greatest #58 post that honored LB Dixon Edwards, so if you missed the post, check it out above.

As of lately, the trend has been LBs getting picked in my Countdown to Kickoff posts, and I thought things were going to change today, but boy, I was wrong.

But before I spill the beans on who got today’s nod, here are all of the players who have worn #57:

Kevin Burnett, LB (2005-2008)

Ron Burton, LB (1987-1989)

Victor Butler, LB (2009-2012)

Alan Campos, LB (1996-1996)

Quentin Coryatt, LB (1999-1999)

Kyle Davis, C (1975-1975)

Luke Gifford, LB (2019-2022)

DeVonte Holloman, LB (2013-2013)

Bruce Huther, LB (1977-1980)

Mike Keller, LB (1972-1972)

Angelo King, LB (1981-1983)

Louis Mackey, LB (2002-2002)

Keith Smith, LB (2014-2014)

Vinson Smith, LB (1990-1992,1997)

Jimmie Turner, LB (1984-1984)

Louie Walker, LB (1974-1974)

Malcolm Walker, C (1966-1969)

Damien Wilson, LB (2015-2018)

Barron Wortham, LB (2000-2000)

As I said, it was LB-galore for another number.

Although I had an extensive list of players to pick from, it was difficult finding that one impactful player because none of them made me be like, “Oh my god, he was a monster during his Cowboys tenure.”

But the show must go on, so without further ado, let’s welcome Mr. Vinson Smith.

Vinson Smith’s NFL Career

Coming out of East Carolina University after a four-year stint, Smith went undrafted in the 1988 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons would sign him as a UDFA, but his whole first year would be injury-riddled, and he would leave the franchise and get picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Another opportunity to make a name for himself, Smith faced adversity again as he spent most of his Steelers tenure on IR, and he would move teams again, but this time to the Dallas Cowboys during the Jimmy Johnson days.

A special-teamer in his first season, Smith’s “arrival to the NFL” came near the end of the season when he put together two solid performances at weakside linebacker, and because of it, he would become a full-time starter in 1992.

From there, Smith would become a highly-productive player (ranked top-five and top-six in tackles) and was a critical player in the Cowboys Super Bowl XXVII victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Following that year, Smith got traded to the Chicago Bears and would have four highly-productive years before returning to the Cowboys for a second stint. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate the same level of performance he had in his earlier years with the Boys and got cut after the season.

Although he had a short-lived Cowboys career, Smith finished in the Top-50 for tackles in franchise history and tallied 423 tackles, eight sacks, and seven fumble recoveries during his 11-year NFL career.

57 days til Cowboys vs Bucs ‼️#VinsonSmith #CowboysNation
Dallas Cowboys LB Vinson Smith sacks Washington Redskins QB Mark Rypien in the 1992 season opener#DallasCowboys #Football #DC4L #NFL pic.twitter.com/Xk72GOZePl

— Dallas Cowboys Collaboration (@mailman_phil) July 14, 2021

Also, for those who like useless, fun facts: Smith is one of 33 players with the last name “Smith” to ever play for the Cowboys all-time, and he’s one of the best LBs in East Carolina history.

Take that for data.

Nonetheless, congratulations to Mr.Vinson Smith on being the Greatest #57 in Dallas Cowboys History, and be on the lookout for the Greatest #56 on Monday.