NFL legend Bubba Smith,who died August 3 at his Los Angeles home,was apparently dissatisfied with his weight.According to the Los Angeles County Coroner,Smith had high levels of the diet drug phentermine in his system.This,along with poor cardiovascular health in the form of high blood pressure and clogged blood vessels,contributed to his death at age 66,found by a caretaker.
At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds,Smith was one of the original NFL big men.He played for the Baltimore Colts from 1967-72,helping them win Super Bowl V over the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.He was an all-star in the Pro Bowl in 1970 and 71.Smith later played for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers,retiring with a knee injury in 1976.
Following football,the gentle giant of Baltimore was very successful in Hollywood,excelling in the "Police Academy" film series as Officer Moses Hightower.He also appeared in popular T.V. series such as "Charlie's Angels" and "Married With Children."
I personally encountered Smith at the Baltimore Colts training camp in Westminster,Maryland when he signed autographs for my younger brother and myself.He was sitting alone outside one of the campus buildings in casual clothes and black horn-rimmed glasses.With his goatee and glasses,he looked more like a professor to me than a star athlete.Going over his photos,note that he kept his facial hair in various styles at different points in his life-including cleanshaven.
Smith had indeed received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Michigan State,where he was an All-American football star.
Bubba,you will always be warmly remembered by your many sports and cinema fans.
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