Smith died with CTE
Ex-Oiler becomes 90th former NFL player found with brain disease
Bubba Smith, the AllPro defensive end in the NFL who went on to a second career as a movie actor, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, when he died in 2011. The findings were confirmed by researchers affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston University and the Concussion Legacy Foundation, and released Tuesday with the permission of the executor of Smith’s estate.
Smith is the 90th former NFL player found to have had CTE by the researchers at the Boston University brain bank; they have examined 94 former pro players. On a scale of 1 to 4 used by the neuropathologist who examined Smith’s brain, Smith had Stage 3 CTE, with symptoms that included cognitive impairment and problems with judgment and planning.
Some scientists caution that much remains unknown about CTE, including why it afflicts some players but not others. But even the NFL, which for years denied there was any connection between head trauma suffered on the field and long-term cognitive impairment, has admitted that there is a link.
Smith, who was born in Orange and attended Charlton-Pollard High School in Beaumont, died at 66 of an overdose of phentermine, a weightloss drug. He also had heart disease and high blood pressure, according to the Los Angeles County coroner.
At 6-7 and nearly 300 pounds, Smith was known as a quick and powerful lineman. During a standout career at Michigan State, where he was named an All-American in 1965 and 1966, Smith’s size and prowess gave rise to the chant “Kill, Bubba, Kill,” which emanated frequently from the stands. (He later co-wrote a book whose title was the chant.)
Smith was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1967 draft by the Baltimore Colts. He was a member of the teams that lost Super Bowl III to the New York Jets and beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V. After five seasons in Baltimore, Smith played two seasons with the Oakland Raiders and two seasons with the Oilers.
After Smith retired following the 1976 season, he used his size and fame to build a second career in film and television. He was best known for his role as Moses Hightower, the mild-mannered florist-turned-lawman in the film comedy “Police Academy” (1984) and many of its sequels.
Smith joins dozens of notable NFL players found to have had CTE, including Junior Seau, Frank Gifford and Ken Stabler. The growing list of players found with CTE has prompted other players to agree to donate their brains to CTE research. Former Oakland Raiders George Atkinson, Phil Villapiano, George Buehler and Art Thoms have pledged their brains to the Concussion Legacy Foundation.