Bruce Smith, Bills' Stalwart, Soaks in Buffalo Adoration in Canton

CANTON, Ohio -- Bills defensive end Bruce Smith seemed to bring the entire city of Buffalo with him to his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday. His loyal fans were certainly vocal in expressing their support for the most dominant NFL end of his era.

"BRRRUUCCEE!" the Bills-heavy crowd chanted several times during the evening, giving the biggest shout to their pass rushing hero when he finally stepped to the microphone following a rousing introduction speech by defensive coach Ted Cottrell.

"This certainly feels like a home game," said a beaming Smith, who spent 19 seasons in the NFL and wrapped up a long night of induction speeches at the Hall of Fame with his own 18-minute ode to Bills coaches, teammates and fans alike.

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The NFL's career leader for sacks with 200, Smith, 46, was the centerpiece of a Buffalo team that made it to four consecutive Super Bowls. He had 13 seasons with 10 or more sacks, also an NFL record, and was named to both the NFL's All-Decade teams of the 1980s and the 1990s.

Smith, the first player selected overall in the 1985 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech, finished his pro career playing four seasons with the Washington Redskins. It was there that he passed the mythical 200-sack mark.

"The crowning achievement in my career in terms of statistics occurred when I broke the NFL all-time sack record while playing for the Washington Redskins," Smith said.

But he'll always be a Bills' legend, and he acknowledged that Saturday night.

"In the annals of NFL history, the sum total of my career will forever be defined by the 15 years I spent playing for the Buffalo Bills," Smith said. "And what a ride it was.

"Four consecutive AFC championships. The potency of the no-huddle offense. The greatest comeback in NFL history. And the record-breaking attendance set by the greatest fans in the NFL."

Smith sacked 76 quarterbacks in his 19 seasons, with the New York Jets' Ken O'Brien being his most targeted victim (17 1/2 sacks).

He singled out many of his famous Bills' teammates, but had a special mention for fellow Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas.

"Thurman Thomas, known to his teammates as 'Squatty,' you undoubtedly are the most complete running back of our era," Smith said. "My life would be a little less bright if I didn't have you to laugh and joke with.

"P.S. -- I hid your helmet."