There’s been back-and-forth debate if former Notre Dame standout and longtime Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he hangs it up.
Smith may have strengthened his case for a HOF bid after joining an exclusive club during the Vikings’ 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Late in the fourth quarter, Smith picked off Colts quarterback Daniel Jones to seal the victory for Minnesota. The interception was the 40th of Smith’s career.
Smith became the third player in NFL history to have 40+ INTs and 20+ sacks (22) in a career. Hall of Famers Ronde Barber and Charles Woodson are the only other former NFL players to accomplish the feat.
Since Smith started his NFL career in 2012 with the Vikings, he has career totals in tackles (1,182), pass deflections (110), forced fumbles (13), fumble recoveries (9) and defensive touchdowns (4).
Smith compiled 309 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 28 pass break-ups, seven INTs and two forced fumbles from 2008 to 2011 with the Fighting Irish.
40/20 Club@harrismith22pic.twitter.com/KYGQE6reSm
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 25, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Ex-ND safety Harrison Smith joins exclusive club while with Vikings