The number worn by Bills Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith will not be worn in Buffalo again.
The Bills have announced that Smith’s No. 78 will be retired at a ceremony in the Bills’ Week Two game against the Jets on Thursday night, September 15.
Smith’s teammate Jim Kelly is the only other player in Bills franchise history with his number retired.
“We are announcing today that we will be honoring Bruce Smith, one of the greatest players in Bills history, during the Thursday night home opener in a special halftime ceremony in which we will retire his jersey number,” Bills President Russ Brandon said. “On behalf of Terry and Kim Pegula and the entire Bills organization, we feel this is a tremendous opportunity to honor Bruce and his Hall of Fame career. We believe it’s going to be a great night for Bruce, his family and Bills fans everywhere.”
Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader with 200 career sacks. He played 15 of his 19 seasons with the Bills and was a first-team All-Pro in nine of those 15 seasons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
