Vitamin Smith

Verda T. "Vitamin" Smith Jr. (October 30, 1923 – February 14, 2000) was a National Football League (NFL) running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 through 1953.

Smith served in the United States Army and participated in the Battle of Normandy before enrolling at Abilene Christian University where he sprinted, threw javelin and played college football for the Wildcats. In the NFL, Smith was a return specialist. In 1950, he set a record by returning three kicks for touchdowns in a single season. That record would stand until 1967.

Verda T. Smith married Myra Pearce, daughter of Mr. and Mr.s Herman F. Pearce, in Ventura, California on August 15, 1946. He was a student at Abilene Christian College at the time.

NFL career statistics Legend Won the NFL championship Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1949 RAM 12 4 40 117 2.9 26 2 5 63 12.6 24 1 1950 RAM 12 4 51 250 4.9 25 1 16 279 17.4 67 4 1951 RAM 12 9 52 143 2.8 31 1 16 278 17.4 67 1 1952 RAM 12 10 57 133 2.3 20 3 16 254 15.9 56 3 1953 RAM 11 3 8 26 3.3 21 0 6 151 25.2 54 3 59 30 208 669 3.2 31 7 59 1,025 17.4 67 12

Playoffs Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1949 RAM 1 1 6 11 1.8 - 0 2 11 5.5 - 0 1950 RAM 2 2 7 23 3.3 15 0 4 81 20.3 38 0 1951 RAM 1 0 9 15 1.7 8 0 1 18 18.0 18 0 1952 RAM 1 1 4 -8 -2.0 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 5 4 26 41 1.6 15 0 7 110 15.7 38 0