Fred Smoot NFL Career Stats and Performance
Fred Smoot played eight NFL seasons as a cornerback, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins. His career stats include 438 tackles, 16 interceptions, and 2 defensive touchdowns over regular and postseason play. He started 112 regular season games and appeared in 12 playoff contests, with his best statistical season coming in 2008 when he recorded 7 interceptions and 13 pass deflections. His college career at Mississippi State included 12 interceptions and 170 tackles, which helped him get drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. For detailed career numbers and game logs, see the NFL's official player page for Fred Smoot NFL Player Profile.
Smoot's peak production came between 2005 and 2008, when he averaged 3 interceptions per season and ranked among the league leaders in pass coverage metrics. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005 after leading the Vikings with 7 interceptions and 18 passes defensed that year. His 438 career tackles include 348 solo stops and 90 assisted tackles, with 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. He also posted 1,188 interception return yards and 2 touchdowns, with a longest return of 94 yards. His coverage grades from Pro Football Focus placed him in the top tier of cornerbacks during his prime years.
Fred Smoot Contracts, Earnings, and Net Worth
Fred Smoot signed a 6-year, $55 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006, with $23 million guaranteed at signing. His total NFL earnings across eight seasons are estimated at $33 million, including base salary, roster bonuses, and per-game incentives. After leaving the NFL, he transitioned into business and media roles, with additional income from real estate and brand partnerships. For contract details and salary breakdowns, see Spotrac's NFL contract data for Fred Smoot Spotrac NFL Contract.
His largest single-season payout came in 2009 with the Washington Redskins, when his base salary and roster bonuses totaled approximately $6.5 million before a midseason release. He earned an average of $4.1 million per year during his guaranteed contract years with the Vikings. Post-NFL ventures include ownership stakes in several small businesses and limited partnership interests in commercial real estate projects. His estimated net worth ranges from $12 million to $16 million, factoring in career earnings, post-career investments, and media appearances.
Post-NFL Career, Investments, and Business Activities
Fred Smoot has focused on real estate development and private equity investments in the Southeast United States since retiring from football. He has been involved in multiple commercial property acquisitions and residential development projects in Mississippi and Georgia. His business profile includes limited partnership roles in several LLCs registered with state Secretary of State offices. For SEC filings and business entity records, search the EDGAR database for Fred Smoot affiliated entities SEC EDGAR Search.
He has also pursued media and broadcasting work, appearing as a guest analyst on regional sports networks and podcasts covering NFL defensive strategies. His public profile includes participation in youth football camps and community outreach programs in the Jackson, Mississippi area. Smoot's post-career trajectory reflects a diversified approach to wealth building outside of professional sports, with a focus on long-term asset accumulation and