Former football star "Bubba" Smith found dead at 66

By Dillon Davis | Originally Published: 08/03/11 7:58pm |Modified: 08/03/11 10:34pm | 3 comments

State News file photo | The State News

Bubba Smith stands by as President Lou Anna K. Simon as his number 95 jersey is being retired Sept. 23, 1996 before the start of the game against Notre Dame. Smith was found dead in his Los Angeles home Wednesday.

Former MSU and NFL star Charles “Bubba” Smith was found dead Wednesday in his Los Angeles home, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times and the LA County Coroner’s Office.

The 66-year-old Smith reportedly was found by a caretaker at his home in Baldwin Hills — a community and neighborhood in southwestern Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Smith died of apparent natural causes, but the Los Angeles County Coroner will handle the case.

The pride of Charlton-Pollard High School in Beaumont, Texas, the 6-foot-7 Smith was as well-known on the football field as he was on the silver screen.

During his time at MSU, Smith was a two-time All-American honoree and was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988. MSU retired Smith’s No. 95 jersey and added his name to the Ring of Fame at Spartan Stadium in 2006. Perhaps the most famed moment of his career, Smith was a key member of the 1966 National Championship winning Spartans, who played Notre Dame to a 10-10 tie in the “Game of the Century.”

Robert Viney, a teammate of Smith’s while at MSU, said in a statement that the two talked on the phone Monday. Viney described Smith as “simply a good guy.”

“I will shed some tears tonight because I’ve lost a great friend,” Viney said. “He never sought the spotlight. He was a humble man. As I remember him, I recall the chants of “Kill, Bubba, Kill” from the crowd in Spartan Stadium. He will be missed.”

Smith was selected as the first overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts — one of four Spartans to be selected in the first seven picks. Smith spent nine seasons from 1967-76 as a defensive end in the NFL with the Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers, winning his only Super Bowl ring with the Colts in Super Bowl V.

Beyond his decorated football career, Smith was known for his role as florist-turned-officer Moses Hightower in all but one of the “Police Academy” movie franchise. The seven “Police Academy” movies have grossed more than $200 million worldwide. Smith also had roles in several hit television shows, including “Married with Children,” “Taxi” and a starring role in “Blue Thunder,” which lasted just one season.

Althetics Director Mark Hollis said in a statement that Smith was a “great Spartan,” and he cherished all the moments he had with the former All American.

“Despite his stature and notoriety, you felt comfortable around him because he had an engaging personality,” Hollis said. “As both a football player and later as an actor, ‘Bubba’ was a great ambassador for the University.”