Important Dates in Bills History, presented by M&T Bank, helps fans recognize what’s important. In the NFL, honoring legendary careers is important and on Dec. 29, 1996 Bills icon Bruce Smith was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Over the course of his 15-year tenure with the Bills, defensive end Bruce Smith put together many unforgettable performances. Known for his ability to make big plays at critical moments, Smith was an integral component of Buffalo’s defense throughout the ‘90s. His defensive acumen helped the Bills attain four consecutive AFC Championship titles. In 1990, Smith and had an inspired season, accumulating 101 tackles, 19.