Football Great Bubba Smith dies; former NFL lineman

[dukemama]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

He died young. Rest in peace.

Wow, he WAS young. My husband swore he had to be at least in his early 70s.

Aside from his playing career and role in the Police Academy films, I'll always remember his beer commercials with Dick Butkus - classic.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by dukemama

Wow, he WAS young. My husband swore he had to be at least in his early 70s.

Yes.

I also consider early 70s too young to die of "natural causes."

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Yes.

I also consider early 70s too young to die of "natural causes."

After a 9-year, NFL Hall-Of-Fame career, Smith's 66 year old body was hardly young. An NFL career, even a brief one, is often likened to a series of repeated and violent car crashes.

But dude was a heck of a player who dominated in a by-gone era.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

After a 9-year, NFL Hall-Of-Fame career, Smith's 66 year old body was hardly young. An NFL career, even a brief one, is often likened to a series of repeated and violent car crashes.

Then he really didn't die of "natural causes."

His body was worn and torn and it eventually caught up with him. Rest in peace.

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Then he really didn't die of "natural causes."

Sadly, you're probably right.

Those horrific NFL hits we all cheer on Sunday afternoons come at a terrible price, usually paid far away from the glare of the TV lights.