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Ex-NFL player 'Bubba' Smith found dead at his LA home
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Actor and former Michigan State University football player Bubba Smith, right, hands back a football he autographed for Terry Braverman while attending the dedication of the new athletic Hall of Fame at the Clara Bell Smith Academic Center in East Lansing, Mich., Friday, Oct. 1, 1999.
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Former NFL player Charles "Bubba" Smith was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Wednesday. He was 66.
The Los Angeles Times'Andrew Blankstein reports that officials are saying Smith died of apparent natural causes.
Smith played as a defensive end and tackle for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers. He later had a career in Hollywood as movie and TV actor, including in the movie "Police Academy."
Smith started out at Michigan State, where fans of the 6-foot-7-inch defensive lineman would chant "Kill, Bubba, kill,” as the giant man made his way down the field. Smith was named All American in 1965 and 1966, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
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He was the draft pick in 1967, and helped the Baltimore Colts win the Super Bowl in 1970. He retired after the 1976 season.
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