Vinson Smith Vinson Robert Smith ( born July 3 , 1965 in Statesville North Carolina ) , is a former American football linebacker , who spent 12 years in the National Football League after graduating from East Carolina University . Smith won one Super Bowl as a member of the Dallas Cowboys . Early years . Smith received All - America n honors while playing defensive tackle for Statesville High School . He accepted a scholarship to play football at East Carolina University , where he was converted to middle linebacker and led the Pirates in total tackles in 1986 ( 116 ) and 1987 ( 118 ) . In 2003 , he was inducted into the East Carolina University Hall of Fame . Professional career . Atlanta Falcons . Smith was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1988 . He made the team , but was active only for 3 games , before being placed on injured reserve for the last 2 weeks of the season . Pittsburgh Steelers . He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a Plan B free agent in 1989 , but broke his left foot during pre - season and was again placed on injured reserve . Dallas Cowboys ( first stint ) . Althoug he didn ' t have many regular season games under his belt , Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt remembered his playing days at East Carolina University , and signed him as a Plan B free agent in 1990 . Smith was a special teams standout and led the unit in tackles until late in the 1990 regular season , when he replaced an injured Ken Norton , Jr . at linebacker against the Philadelphia Eagles . That performance earned him his first career start and game MVP honors , in the team ' s next game against the Atlanta Falcons . He was named the starter at strongside linebacker in 1991 , although he contracted hepatitis , which forced the team to place him on injured reserve for the last 3 games of the season , and have Dixon Edwards replace him in the starting lineup . In 1992 the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVII with him as a starter and contributing to the goal - line stand , that stopped the Buffalo Bills inside the Cowboys 1 yard line . In 1993 after defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt became the head coach for the Chicago Bears , he traded for Smith , linebacker Barry Minter and a sixth - round draft pick , in exchange for linebacker John Roper , tight end Kelly Blackwell and safety Markus Paul . Chicago Bears . On March 1995 , the Chicago Bears signed him to a new two year contract . He was a four year starter at strongside linebacker for the team . Dallas Cowboys ( second stint ) . In 1997 he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys , who needed to make room for Deion Sanders under the salary cap , and was forced to release Alan Campos at the end of preseason , keeping only 5 linebacker s , with Smith backing up all three linebacker positions and starting in three games . New Orleans Saints . In 1998 he signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints , where he played as a backup for two years before retiring . Personal life . Smith has held many football training camps for the youth of Iredell County , North Carolina . Currently , Smith owns his own business JPC Bail Bonds and was the head football coach of Piedmont Christian Paladins in Statesville .