NFL star Bubba Smith dies

RIP Bubba "Hightower" Smith.




AFP
Former NFL defensive star Bubba Smith, who launched a successful acting career after his playing days, has died at the age of 66, authorities said Wednesday.

Charles "Bubba" Smith was found dead Wednesday at his home in suburban Baldwin Hills, police and the Los Angeles County coroner's office said.

Los Angeles police officer Gregory Baek said Smith was thought to have died of natural causes, but the coroner's office had not yet made a final determination of the cause of death.

Smith, a Texas native, was drafted first overall by the then-Baltimore Colts in 1967. He spent five NFL seasons with the Colts, winning a Super Bowl title with the club at he end of the 1970 season.

He spent two seasons each with Oakland and Houston, leaving the league in 1976 after twice earning Pro Bowl honors.