Former NFL DE Bubba Smith suffered from CTE before his death in 2011
BOSTON -- The Concussion Legacy Foundation says former NFL defensive end Bubba Smith was diagnosed with the brain disease CTE by researchers after his death.
Smith died in 2011 at 66. He's one of 90 former NFL players diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy since 2008 at a brain bank affiliated with Veteran Affairs, Boston University and the foundation. Out of four stages of the disease, the foundation says Smith had stage 3 CTE.
Smith was the first pick in the 1967 NFL Draft after a career at Michigan State, which led him to the College Football Hall of Fame. He played a total of nine seasons for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers.
He became an actor and is best known for playing Moses Hightower in the "Police Academy" movies.
-
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: Date, time, how to watch, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft odds: Chargers' odds to pick J.J. McCarthy rise on draft eve
2024 NFL mock draft: 4 QBs in top 5, 4 receivers in first 10 picks
-
2024 NFL Draft order: Every pick for all seven rounds
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
-
2023 NFL WR rankings: Justin Jefferson leads loaded list of top 10 receivers
Which NFL teams are best prepared to start a rookie QB? We rank 7
2024 NFL Draft: 5 QBs drafted, Jets add Bowers in Nick Wright's final mock draft
-
2024 NFL Draft Schedule: Date, time, how to watch, TV channel
2024 NFL Draft odds: Chargers' odds to pick J.J. McCarthy rise on draft eve
2024 NFL mock draft: 4 QBs in top 5, 4 receivers in first 10 picks
-
2024 NFL Draft order: Every pick for all seven rounds
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
-
2023 NFL WR rankings: Justin Jefferson leads loaded list of top 10 receivers
Which NFL teams are best prepared to start a rookie QB? We rank 7
2024 NFL Draft: 5 QBs drafted, Jets add Bowers in Nick Wright's final mock draft