Bubba Smith, a college and professional football star who went from feared defensive end on the field to endearing giant in his successful second career as an actor, was found dead Aug. 3 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 66.
A Los Angeles County coroner’s spokesman said the circumstances and cause of death were not known. A police spokesman said the death did not appear to be suspicious.
On Jan. 12, 1969, New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath prepares to pass as Baltimore Colts' Bubba Smith leaps to defend during NFL football's Super Bowl III in Miami.
After a sensational career at Michigan State, the 6-foot-7 Mr. Smith signed with the Baltimore Colts after being the top overall pick in the 1967 NFL draft. He spent five seasons with the Colts and helped them win the 1971 Super Bowl.
A severe knee injury in 1972 slowed his career, and he played two seasons each with Oakland and Houston before retiring in 1976.
One of the best pass rushers in the game, Mr. Smith often drew two blockers yet was effective enough to make two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team. His best work, though, came in college, and he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
As an actor, his most memorable role was playing Moses Hightower, the soft-spoken officer in the “Police Academy” series. He also appeared in the TV series “Good Times,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “Half Nelson,” and he was a regular in the groundbreaking Miller Lite commercials featuring retired players.
Charles Aaron Smith was born Feb. 28, 1945, in Beaumont, Tex., and played high school football under his father. At Michigan State, he played on some of the school’s greatest teams under coach Duffy Daugherty and was an All-American in 1965 and 1966.
During those seasons, the Spartans went 19-1-1 and won consecutive Big Ten titles. Fans chanted “Kill, Bubba, Kill” during games, and his No. 95 jersey was retired in 2006. Beginning this year, the Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Award will bear his name.
Mr. Smith, who weighed about 250 pounds in college and 285 as a professional, was part of two of the most famous football games ever played. In 1966, he was at Michigan State when the Spartans and Notre Dame, both undefeated, played to a 10-10 tie in what was called the “game of the century.” Michigan State finished second behind the top-ranked Fighting Irish that season.
In 1969, Mr. Smith played for the Colts against the New York Jets in the Super Bowl. Led by Joe Namath, the Jets of the AFL upset the NFL champion Colts 16-7 in Miami.
Mr. Smith later said that whenever clips of the game came on television, he had to turn away.
“Bubba was definitely a game-changer as a defensive end,” Michigan State teammate Gene Washington said. “You simply didn’t see guys with his size and quickness coming off the defensive line. His ability spoke for itself.”
Information about survivors was not available.
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