SB Nation Denver - Northern Colorado Alum Aaron Smith Released By Pittsburgh Steelershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2012-03-02T11:44:12-07:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26037492012-03-02T11:44:12-07:002012-03-02T11:44:12-07:00Northern Colorado Alum Aaron Smith Could Be Headed Towards Retirement
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<p>For 13 seasons, defensive end <span>Aaron Smith</span> proudly represented the Northern Colorado <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> in the NFL. At age 36, Smith's production has started to slow in recent years, so it came as no surprise when it was reported yesterday that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> had released Smith. Judging by these quotes from Smith's agent Peter Schaffer, it sounds like he could be headed towards retirement.</p>
<p>From the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12062/1213910-66-0.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml#ixzz1nz8VRkqD">Post-Gazette</a>:</p>
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<p>"We talked today at length," Peter Schaffer said of his telephone call with coach Mike Tomlin. "We're celebrating [13] years of having the privilege of playing for the Steelers, and Aaron is celebrating having more time with his five kids and wife. There are no hard feelings."</p>
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<p>Smith played in just 15 games over the last three seasons for Pittsburgh due to various injuries.</p>
<p><i>For more on Pittsburgh, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more on the upcoming free agent frenzy.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2012/3/2/2839718/aaron-smith-retirementRicky O'Donnell2012-03-01T15:11:20-07:002012-03-01T15:11:20-07:00Aaron Smith To Be Released By Pittsburgh Steelers, According To Report
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<p>Former Northern Colorado Bears alum Aaron Smith will be released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Is his 13-year NFL career coming to an end?</p> <p>The ranks of Northern Colorado Bears in the NFL is thinning and who knows how much longer any of the current three players in the NFL will last. While Vincent Jackson is likely to hit it big in free agency and Reed Doughty has completed six years in the league, elder statesman Aaron Smith might be close to hanging things up:</p>
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<p>Ravens are releasing CB Chris Carr and Steelers are releasing DL Aaron Smith <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523insideslant">#insideslant</a></p>
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/175325502922440704" data-datetime="2012-03-01T21:03:51+00:00">March 1, 2012</a>
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<p>This in no way means he is going to retire, but at age 36 Smith has played in just 15 games over the last three season due to a variety of injuries. Smith has played his entire career with the Stelers, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft.</p>
<p>Smith has accumulated 44 sacks in 13 season. He's won two Super Bowls and made the Pro Bowl in 2004.</p>
<p><i>For more on Pittsburgh, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com">Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation NFL</a> for more on the upcoming free agent frenzy.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2012/3/1/2836527/aaron-smith-released-pittsburgh-steelers-northern-coloradoRuss Oates