RIP BUBBA SMITH

The number 1 overall draft pick in the 1967 NFL draft from Michigan State, a 6 foot 8, 260 pound fearless pass rusher known as Charles Aaron “Bubba” Smith was found dead in his home yesterday at the age of 66.  When he was found unresponsive in his home the police were called  and they announced him dead later on.  An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death for this gentle giant as no talks of foul play in his death have come up yet.  While in the NFL Smith played for nine season with Colts, Raider and the Oilers.  He also played in two Super Bowl games while splitting the two. The first was a lost to Joe Nameth and the Jets in 1969 and the second Super Bowl game was to redeem the Colts as the defeated the Cowboys in a 16-13 victory. It was said that Bubba was so unsatisfied with the way the game was played and the way the game was won that he never placed on his Super Bowl ring from that victory.  After his football career had ended, acting had become his new occupation. Staring in small tv roles on popular shows at the time such as “Good Times” or “Charlies Angels” his break through film was could as playing Lt. Moses Hightower in the 1984 comedy film “Police Academy” and he would go on to play the role for the sequels to the films as well. Bubba was inducted into College Football Hall of Fame for the his outstanding performance at Michigan State University. A honor that he describe as “the jewel on my crown, for my collegiate days were very special to me.” Smith will be truly missed as he can be watched on highlight films and movie screens for those that wish to remember some of his greatest accomplishments.  

Randy Retires

Yesterday one of the all time great wide receivers in the history of the NFL announced his retirement yesterday. Randy Moss who has played 13 total NFL season decided to call it quits yesterday during the middle of free agency negotiations with various teams.  Randy is who most known for his tremendous season early in his career as a Viking and as recent as 2007 as a member of the New England Patriots. The announcement of his retirement is highly criticized by many saying that it may not be completely the end for Randy and maybe a way for him to receive a bigger contract. If this truly is the end for Randy Moss then the numbers he has posted throughout his career should have him as a sure lock hall of fame inductee.  It will be interesting to see what happens in 5 years when the hall of fame board votes on who will be inducted, while the numbers say Randy should be in 1st ballot without a question, the board also looks at attitude, presence around the league and how likable the person was around the locker room and with coaches. With that being said it was no secret that Randy was sometimes very out spoken and was very bent on doing things his way and having a problem with authority as he did not let anyone dictate to him they was he was going to play his game.  In 2007 when Moss signed with the Patriots all of the past news about him not being a team player and being detrimental to a football team seemed to be put to bed as he set a record single season touchdown record by catching 23 touchdown passes from Tom Brady.  His career seemed to be resurrected but a loss in the Super Bowl to the underdog New York Giants the glory began to fade from his days in New England and he was sent back to the Vikings for a short stint and was then released by head coach Brad Childress and finished out the season and his career after a few games for the Titans. Even though he did not finish his career in a hall of fame fashion the work that he compiled throughout his career was able to catch the eye of footballs fans everywhere and his legacy will continue to be remembered as his named is written in stone in the NFL history books.