Despite a relatively short career in Baltimore, Charles “Bubba” Smith will go down as one of the most beloved Colts in team history. The overall first pick of the 1967 draft, Bubba’s 6’7″ frame was probably what made him stand out more than anything. He was a giant of a man for his time, yet despite his Herculian stature, Bubba’s smile and sense of humor made him the man he was. This personality translated well for him in the late 70’s hit movies “Police Academy” series were he played Moses Hightower. Hightower was a character very similar to the man himself, a gentle giant, which is probably why it worked so well.
The thing I remember most about Bubba was his local TV sales pitch for a law firm that he promoted. The commercial appeared shortly after the Colts high-tailed it to Indianapolis. At the end of the commercial, he mentioned the lawfirm’s name (even though I remember it, I won’t give the free publicity) and he stated “Still my team, still in Baltimore” a slap at the Indy franchise.
A Super Bowl V champion who only played 5 seasons in Baltimore, he’s yet another Baltimore Colt great that we lost too soon.
Rest in Peace Charles “Bubba” “Moses Hightower” Smith.
Martin Wilt is a lifelong Baltimore sports fan and contributor to BaltimoreSportsReport.com
Sounded like a great man! Touching article!
My recent post was censored , I spoke the truth , something that is obviously frowned upon on this site……….
it is the third time it has happened here , no other site censors my post , I guess you guys just can’t handle the truth……..
Not so great , didn’t he sue the NFL because he tripped over the sideline markers , all the other players who played the game never complained about them.
Jim, what a stupid comment. Even if it’s true, even the great Johnny U. had issues with the NFL because of the injuries he sustained in football. Former Colt Bruce Laird continues his crusade against the NFL over injury situations. Get a life moron.
Where’s their law suits ? That’s the big difference.
@Jim – Did you just come out of a Chinese Opium Den?
You are a freaking clown…
In 1972, during a preseason game, Smith was pursuing across the field when he became entangled with the yard markers along the sideline. In those years, when the action got too close, the chain crew would retreat and leave the sticks upright, still affixed to the ground. As a result of Smith’s injury, I believe, the league changed the procedure, requiring the crew, before they backed away, to remove the sticks and to drop them flat onto the ground.
The Colts’ team doctors described Smith’s knee injury as one of the worst they had seen. He was forced to watch most of that season from the sideline in a wheelchair, and he wasn’t the same player again. During his long rehabilitation, Smith was traded to the Raiders for tight end Raymond Chester. He played two years in Oakland and then two years in Houston before retiring after the 1976 season.
The knee injury basically ruined his football career…
You must have a fixation on sticks.
Come on, Jim. You’re kidding me, right?
mister JIM, i know be here in states in 1970’s but read bout bubba smith and he injurys and that injury messed up his footbarr time. why mister jim you have act rike goof? if mister spy was on here he rub you his tummy sticks. thing you say mister jim pees off mister spy and he give you mouth full so you no speak rike stupid johnsonhead. mister jim you make my brud turn bubbry. oooo i mad!
The owners have censored spy from this site.
BUBBA WHO? most likely one of the most famous and damaging queries ever presented by a Dallas Cowboy, when prior to the Super Bowl, one of the Dallas players was asked about respect for Bubba and the answer was Bubba Who? This inspire Bubba and he became a one man wrecking crew as the Colts destroyed the Cowboys and eventually won the Super Bowl on a Jimmy O’Brien fiedl goal. Don’t remember the dates, but Bubba Who? Great guy.