Some quiet FBS programs often churn out the most memorable players. Jackson State had Walter Payton, Mississippi Valley State gave us Jerry Rice, and Virginia Tech produced Michael Vick. And from Virginia Tech also came one of the NFL’s greatest defensive ends—Bruce Smith. Before becoming an NFL great, he was known as the best Hokie to ever play for the program. He went on to become an NFL legend, playing 19 seasons. Now, back home in Virginia, he has a powerful message for the future Hokies.

Smith dominated the NFL on defense during the 90s. Offenses crumbled against him, with his 19 sacks in 1990 being his most iconic single-season feat. Along with that, he also registered 101 tackles and was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Smith advanced to the Super Bowl four consecutive times, but sadly, was unable to win any. Now happily retired from sports, he is pursuing a dream far from the lights of the green turf. He came back to Virginia to build a career as a successful hotel developer.

Smith owns a hotel and apartment complex called Smith’s Landing near his old college, Virginia Tech. Since retiring from football, he’s become a major real estate developer. He’s currently the main leader in a billion-dollar hotel and casino project in Petersburg, Virginia, hoping to bring lots of jobs and money to the area. He also campaigns for these projects and works to support Black investors.

Bruce Smith’s deep love and bond with his college started it all; he chose Virginia Tech, his local program, for his collegiate career for just one reason. “Well, for me it was pretty simple. I knew there was something special about Virginia. And Virginia Tech was the place for me,” he said. Smith is a Virginia native himself and is now coming full circle in life.

He’s right where he started, with a glorious NFL career behind him and as an inspiration for the young generation at Virginia Tech. In the recent event at Virginia Tech, he shared with the young Hokies why he picked Virginia Tech over other programs, urging them to “ask them simple questions. Do you plan on living in Virginia? Do you wanna build relationships? Do you wanna do business in Virginia?”

Amidst a slew of honors, the veteran defensive end added a new and unique one last year. Smith was named Norfolk’s First Citizen, an honorary title bestowed upon influential figures in the society for their notable work. The leader of the committee that crowned Smith with the title said that his return to Virginia was what made him so likable. “So many great athletes from our area have done well and never returned. They’ve gone to New York or some other place to do business. Well, Bruce came back. He came back to Norfolk, to Hampton Roads, to try to do business and try to build a better community.”

Though Bruce Smith is now far away from the razzle-dazzle of the NFL—despite being one of its greatest players—his career stands towering in the realm of the league’s defense.

A look at Bruce Smith’s gold-standard resume

Smith finished his career at Virginia Tech in 1984 with 71 tackles, 46 sacks, and an Outland Trophy, given to CFB’s best lineman of the year. And it was no wonder that he went as the first pick in the 1985 draft to the Buffalo Bills, which was his home for 15 seasons. And from his second season onwards, Smith began telling the world of the greatness he was capable of.

In 1986, he had a great year, recording 15 sacks. In 1989, he broke the record for the most sacks ever made by a Bill in a year, where he recorded 51 tackles.

Bruce Smith’s greatest career feat is that he holds the highest number of quarterback sacks to this day, at 200. Even when the Bills’ Super Bowl appearance streak ended, Smith continued to tally impressive numbers. He made Pro Bowl selections 11 times and 8 first-team All-American honors. A Hall of Fame inductee, Bruce Smith’s name is etched into the history books of the NFL and the Buffalo Bills for good.

Smith is an active member of the community, having started his foundation while he still played in the NFL. He has sponsored scholarships at his high school, Booker T. Washington, and also worked with a Children’s hospital. Now back at Virginia, like Michael Vick, he’s now encouraging young Virginians to see the value of what could come out of a program like his. “This is my home. It will always be my home.”