Smith played college football at Tennessee A&I University (now Tennessee State University), where he set numerous school records for punt returns. He holds the school records for career punt returns (100); punt return yardage in a game (243), and season (572); career punt return yardage (1,933); highest average per punt return for a season (19.0) and a career (19.3); and most punt return touchdowns during a season (4) and a career (9).[1]
Professional careeredit
Known as "Super Gnat" for his short stature and light weight -- he was listed at 5-6 1/4 and 154 pounds -- he was the smallest-sized player in the AFL or NFL of his era.[2] Smith was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 1967 AFL Draft. In his rookie season with the Chiefs in 1967, Smith led the American Football League in kickoff return yardage with 1,360 yards. On December 17, 1967, Smith returned a kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown, still the longest kickoff return in Kansas City Chiefs history. Smith currently ranks 18th on the NFL's all-time kick return average list with 26.06 yards per return.
During his three seasons in the AFL and the NFL with the Chiefs and 49ers, Smith was almost exclusively on kickoff and punt returns, with 63 punt returns for 635 yards and one touchdown and 82 kickoff returns for 2,137 yards and one touchdown, but only three rushing attempts for six yards, two pass receptions for 57 yards.[3]
After footballedit
Smith and his wife, Gloria, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012. They have three children, Noland Jr., Tonya and Kevin, and three grandchildren, Jade, Noland III and Niqui. Smith retired in 2013 after 43 years with the city of Jackson, Mississippi Parks & Recreation Department. For 21 of those years, he was center coordinator at the Medgar Evers Community Center in Jackson.[4]
Smith appeared as "Superbug" in the 1970 movie MASH.[5]
noland, smith, confused, with, nolan, smith, american, football, noland, super, gnat, smith, born, october, 1943, former, american, football, wide, receiver, return, specialist, kansas, city, chiefs, 1967, 1969, american, football, league, francisco, 49ers, 19. Not to be confused with Nolan Smith American football Noland Super Gnat Smith born October 20 1943 is a former American football wide receiver return specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs 1967 1969 in the American Football League AFL and San Francisco 49ers 1969 in the National Football League NFL Noland SmithNo 1 46Position Wide receiver return specialistPersonal informationBorn 1943 10 20 October 20 1943 age 80 Jackson Mississippi U S Height 5 ft 6 in 1 68 m Weight 155 lb 70 kg Career informationHigh school Jackson MS BrinkleyCollege Tennessee StateNFL Draft 1967 Round 6 Pick 156Career historyKansas City Chiefs 1967 1969 San Francisco 49ers 1969 Career NFL statisticsPunt returns yards 63 635 Kick returns yards 82 2 137 Touchdowns 2Player stats at NFL com PFR Contents 1 College career 2 Professional career 3 After football 4 References 5 External linksCollege career editSmith played college football at Tennessee A amp I University now Tennessee State University where he set numerous school records for punt returns He holds the school records for career punt returns 100 punt return yardage in a game 243 and season 572 career punt return yardage 1 933 highest average per punt return for a season 19 0 and a career 19 3 and most punt return touchdowns during a season 4 and a career 9 1 Professional career editKnown as Super Gnat for his short stature and light weight he was listed at 5 6 1 4 and 154 pounds he was the smallest sized player in the AFL or NFL of his era 2 Smith was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 1967 AFL Draft In his rookie season with the Chiefs in 1967 Smith led the American Football League in kickoff return yardage with 1 360 yards On December 17 1967 Smith returned a kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown still the longest kickoff return in Kansas City Chiefs history Smith currently ranks 18th on the NFL s all time kick return average list with 26 06 yards per return During his three seasons in the AFL and the NFL with the Chiefs and 49ers Smith was almost exclusively on kickoff and punt returns with 63 punt returns for 635 yards and one touchdown and 82 kickoff returns for 2 137 yards and one touchdown but only three rushing attempts for six yards two pass receptions for 57 yards 3 After football editSmith and his wife Gloria celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012 They have three children Noland Jr Tonya and Kevin and three grandchildren Jade Noland III and Niqui Smith retired in 2013 after 43 years with the city of Jackson Mississippi Parks amp Recreation Department For 21 of those years he was center coordinator at the Medgar Evers Community Center in Jackson 4 Smith appeared as Superbug in the 1970 movie MASH 5 Year Title Role Notes1970 MASH Football Player 325th Evac Superbug UncreditedReferences edit Noland Smith gt The Super Gnat the Kansas City Chiefs Noland Smith Noland Smith Stats Noland Smith Noland Smith Internet Movie Database Retrieved 2009 06 10 External links editStats Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Noland Smith amp oldid 1181077533, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
