Michigan State’s dominance in the mid-1960s was led by a handful of key defensive players, but literally none was bigger than defensive end Bubba Smith.
On Monday, the former Michigan State star was named the Big Ten’s best defensive end of all time by ESPN.com.
“Moses Hightower from the “Police Academy” movies, Smith packed a huge punch in real life, too,” wrote Mitch Sherman. “Out of Orange, Texas, he dreamed of wearing the burnt orange of the Longhorns, but segregation sent him north to play for Duffy Daugherty — and won Smith a spot in MSU lore. He earned All-America honors in 1965 and 1966 and inspired the chant, “Kill, Bubba, Kill,” from the fans in East Lansing. At 6-foot-7 and more than 250 pounds, he was a man among boys in the college game, starring in the iconic 1966, 10-10 tie between the Spartans and Notre Dame. Smith’s No. 95 was retired in 2006, five years before his death at age 66.”
Smith was a force for the MSU defense in his career after coming all the way up from Texas. He helped anchor a group that allowed just 46 rushing yards per game in 1965 and fewer than 10 points per game in back to back seasons. He went on to be the No. 1 pick in the 1967 NFL Draft, as the Indianapolis Colts selected the larger-than-life player that will always stand as one of Michigan State’s best.
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