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Concussion group says ex-NFL player Bubba Smith had CTE

Baltimore Colts defensive end Bubba Smith, shown in 1972. The Concussion Legacy Foundation says former NFL defensive end Bubba Smith was diagnosed with the brain disease CTE by researchers after his death. (Associated Press)
Baltimore Colts defensive end Bubba Smith, shown in 1972. The Concussion Legacy Foundation says former NFL defensive end Bubba Smith was diagnosed with the brain disease CTE by researchers after his death. (Associated Press)

BOSTON – The Concussion Legacy Foundation says former NFL defensive end Bubba Smith was diagnosed with the brain disease CTE by researchers after his death.

Smith died in 2011 at 66. He’s one of 90 former NFL players diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy since 2008 at a brain bank affiliated with Veteran Affairs, Boston University and the foundation. Out of four stages of the disease, the foundation says Smith had stage 3 CTE.

Smith was the first pick in the 1967 NFL draft after a career at Michigan State, which led him to the College Football Hall of Fame. He played a total of nine seasons for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers.

He became an actor and is best known for playing Moses Hightower in the “Police Academy” movies.