Rest in Peace Bubba Smith, 66, who has died of natural causes. Smith was a huge All-America defensive tackle at Michigan State in '65 & '66. He was the NFL's number one pick overall in 1967 and played on the Baltimore Colts 1970 Super Bowl championship team. He was a two-time All-Pro selection. Since that was so long ago, he is probably remembered more for his acting, particularly in the Police Academy series. He was a legendary figure. I began college at Western Michigan University in 1967, and tales of the wild ways of MSU's football players filtered down to us. Legend had it that Bubba was not very bright. One story had him approaching an instructor who had flunked him and demanding: "Bubba pass." The instructor looked at him and said: "Bubba fail." Whereupon the big man grabbed the guy by the collar, lifted him off the ground so that they were nose to nose, and said: "Bubba kill!" No doubt this is mythology.
There was an interesting development in pro football today. Minnesota Vikings huge offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie was cut for being overweight. He is close to 400 pounds. I wonder if there will be discrimination lawsuits. Management's position is understandable. Ten years ago Korey Stringer, also an offensive tackle, died from complications brought on by heat stroke during training camp. Lawsuits followed. Circa 1970, lineman were in the 250-275 pound range. These days they're 350-375. It's more dangerous than ever out there.
And finally on the sports front, it has been reported that the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez has been involved in high stakes poker games. He was smart enough to leave a recent one when it looked like things were going to get really ugly. I wonder if he cheats at cards as he did at baseball. He is a great player, but, given his alleged steroid use, we will never know exactly how great.
Thanks to the kind folks who purchased books today.
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