Former Football Star Turned Actor Bubba Smith Passes Away at 66

For us kids of the 80s we best know Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith as Lt. Moses Hightower from the Police Academy movies. The older "kids" probably know him better as a fierce defensive lineman who played 9 seasons in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers.

Sad news to report as Smith passed away at his Los Angeles home at the age of 66. He appears to have died from natural causes.

At 6'7" and 280 lbs., Smith was selected as the #1 overall pick in 1967 by the Baltimore Colts. He could've been a New Orleans Saint though. The Saints however traded that #1 pick to the Colts. Smith went on to an All-Pro career and was part of a couple Super Bowl teams, winning Super Bowl V with the Colts as they defeated the Cowboys (woo-hoo!).

His career was cut short due to a knee injury but found success after football on the big screen. Smith found popularity, along with many other former athletes, as a pitchman for Miller Lite. He then made a name for himself as a Lt. Hightower in the Police Academy movies. Let's enjoy the memories with the following clip from Police Academy 2: