Born: February
28, 1945
Birthplace: Orange, TX
Died: August
3, 2011
Zodiac Sign:
Pisces
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an
American professional football player.
Smith starred as a defensive end in college
and the NFL before becoming an actor following his retirement from the sport.
He became prominent at Michigan State
University, earning All-American honors on the Spartans football team twice.
He had a significant role in a 10–10 tie with
Notre Dame in 1966, billed as "The Game of the Century."
He is one of only six players to have his
jersey number retired by the program.
Smith was inducted into the College Football
Hall of Fame in 1988.
He was the first choice of the 1967 NFL Draft;
Smith played nine years in the National Football League (NFL) with the Baltimore
Colts (1967–1971), Oakland Raiders (1973–1974), and Houston Oilers (1975–1976).
He was the Colts' starting left defensive end
for five seasons, playing in Super Bowls III and V.
In addition, he was named to two Pro Bowls and
was a First-Team All-Pro in 1971.
He had tremendous quickness despite being 6
feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) tall and weighing 265 pounds (120.20 kilograms), a
combination which usually earned him a double-team.
During his acting career, Smith specialized in
comedic roles in film, television, and television advertising.
For about a decade following his retirement
from football, he appeared in various commercials for Miller Lite.
His best-known role was Moses Hightower in the
first six Police Academy movies.
Smith was posthumously diagnosed with CTE, a
neurological condition related to concussion and sub-concussive head trauma.