Bubba Smith, a nine-year NFL veteran with five of those years with the Baltimore Colts, and who is perhaps just as well-known for playing Officer Hightower in the Police Academy movies, died Wednesday in his Los Angeles home, according to reports. Smith, 66, was reportedly found at his home by a caretaker and is believed to have died of natural causes.
Smith played for the Baltimore Colts from 1967-1971.He played in two Pro Bowls in 1970 and 1971 and was first team All-Pro also in '71.
The Texas native, born Charles Aaron Smith, went to Michigan State for his college career, which would eventually develop into a College Hall of Fame career. A two-time All-American, he helped lead the Spartans just shy of a national title.
His Hollywood career included a role on Married ... With Children in addition to his famous Police Academy turn as Officer Moses Hightower, a larger-than-life florist who gave up his business to join the zanny Police Academy.
Follow updates on this story at SB Nation. You can also get more information on Smith's career at Baltimore Beatdown.
For me, my absolute favorite scene from the Police Academy movies featured Smith pretending to be a Jamaican drug dealer named Badula. The scene is in the fourth movie, and it is quite funny. RIP Bubba Smith.