The Story of How Timmy Smith Dazzled In The Super Bowl in His Very First Start

Published on February 6th, 2025 9:17 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Imagine getting your very first start as a running back - in the Super Bowl!

This is what happened to rookie Timmy Smith at Super Bowl XXII, as he was inserted into the lineup as the starting running back for the Washington Redskins.

The 5th round pick out of Texas Tech had been used sparingly during the 1987 regular season, getting just 29 touches for a total of 126 yards.

The Redskins had two running backs who were ahead of Timmy Smith on the depth chart - George Rogers and Kelvin Bryant.

Both running backs were not performing well during the first two games of the 1987 playoff run for the Washington Redskins, so coach Joe Gibbs decided to make Timmy Smith the starter for Super Bowl XXII.

The decision would turn out to be one of the smartest of Gibbs' career, as Smith set a Super Bowl rushing record after running for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Redskins smashed the Broncos 42-10, Timmy Smith had a Super Bowl ring and was now assuredly the starting running back for the Washington Redskins heading into the next season.

So, did Timmy Smith go on to a productive career with the Washington Redskins?

Not even close.

Prior to the start of the 1988 season, Smith and his agent made an outrageous demand of the Redskins - they wanted Smith to get a new contract that made him the highest paid running back in the NFL.

The Redskins said no way and Smith eventually came to training camp late. Smith, however, clearly wasn't training in the offseason, enjoying his Super Bowl win a bit too much.

Smith was reportedly 25 pounds overnight when he arrived in training camp.

Despite all of that, Smith was named the starting running back heading into the start of the 1988 season. Smith would eventually lose his starting role after rushing for just 470 yards and 3 touchdowns over the course of the season.

The Redskins were so down on Smith that they didn't give him a single touch in the final four games of the season.

The Redskins left Smith unprotected after the 1988 season. After signing with the San Diego Chargers and getting cut before the start of the season, Smith signed with the Dallas Cowboys for the 1990 season. Unfortunately for Smith, the Cowboys drafted Emmitt Smith that year, and Smith was cut just a week into the season after rushing for just 6 yards in the season opener.

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Timmy Smith is often regarded as one of the biggest "one hit wonders" in the history of the NFL.