Former NFL great Bubba Smith was found dead at his L.A. home yesterday. He was 66.

Smith, a member of the College Hall of Fame, played for the Raiders during the 1973 and 1974 seasons. The team reached the AFC Championship both years, when Smith played with Oakland stalwarts like Fred Biletnikoff, George Blanda, Cliff Branch, Ray Guy, Kenny Stabler, and Gene Upshaw.

A later generation probably remembers Smith more for his role in the Police Academy movies:

But I will always associate him with those Miller Lite commercials that were so ubiquitous during televised athletic events in the 1970s, and were considered the very peak of sophisticated sports humor among the 13-year-old set.

[ad fullwidth]

On eBay, his 1975 Topps football card, designating him a Raider even though he played for Houston that year, is selling for $1.49.

Seems like a bargain.

football card 1975

Bubba SmithBubba Smith

Those Bubba Smith Commercials...