Charles "Bubba" Smith
Charles "Bubba" Smith (1945) Actor and football great Charles A. "Bubba" Smith grew up in Beaumont, Texas, graduating from Charlton-Pollard High School, where he played for his father, Coach Willie Ray Smith. Bubba went on to play for Michigan State University and became one of MSU's all-time great players, winning All-Big Ten and All-America honors for two straight years (1965 and 1966) as the team stomped through two unbeaten seasons and became the national champions. Whether he was playing tackle, defensive end, or middle guard, fans would cheer him on with, "Kill, Bubba, Kill!" In 1967, the Baltimore Colts made him their number one draft choice. Although his rookie season was plagued with injuries, Smith came back strong his second season, contributing to the Colts' record of 15 victories in 17 games. Bubba stayed with the Colts through the 1972 season and racked up some impressive statistics. In his best season with the club, 1971, he blocked four fieldgoal attempts and sacked nine quarterbacks. He played in the NFL championship game in 1968 and the Super Bowl in 1969 and 1971. He was chosen All-AFC in 1970 and 1971, and played in the Pro-Bowl in 1971 and 1972. He missed the 1972 season for knee surgery and was traded to the Oakland Raiders for Raymond Chester in 1973. Smith moved to the Houston Oilers in 1975 and completed his career with them in 1977. A ten-year veteran of the NFL, wrote his memoirs, "Kill, Bubba, Kill," with Hal de Windt in 1983. He has developed a successful second career as an actor, first working in Miller Lite beer commercials then starring in the Police Academy movies. Smith says he quit the beer campaign because he felt it sent the "wrong message to kids." Smith has shown an enduring interest in education through his work with children and by endowing an engineering scholarship at Michigan State. Smith lives in Los Angeles, where he also acts as the president and CEO of Vital Aircraft Company, lobbying the Pentagon for government contracts.
"Tody Smith
Tody Smith (1948) Defensive end Lawrence Edward "Tody Smith" was born in Orange, Texas. He is the younger brother of Bubba Smith, and both played high school football for their dad, W.R. Smith, at Charlton-Pollard in Beaumont, Texas. Smith acquired his nickname in a junior high school Spanish class. Apparently Tody came from toro (bull); - - he was the largest boy in his class. Smith attended Michigan State and Southern California. At USC he was named All-American his junior year, 1969. He played only four games as a senior because of an ankle injury. The Cowboys felt his disappointing senior season was the only reason Smith remained available when Dallas drafted 25th in the first round at the 1971 selections. Smith was the Cowboy's number one choice. He missed most of the 1971 training camp before signing and spent the first seven games of the season on the team's taxi squad. When he joined the 40-man roster he quickly convinced the Dallas coaches he had a future in the NFL. After the season, coach Tom Landry seemed convinced Smith had the capability to start in 1972. Although he had surgery during the off-season on an injured knee, Tody was ready to go in 1972, playing in the Super Bowl that year. He was traded to the Houston Oilers with wide receiver Billy Parks in 1973, in exchange for two draft choices. He stayed with the club until the 1976 season. Smith's final pro season was 1976, spent playing for the Buffalo Bills.
Austin "Goose"Gonsoulin
Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin Defensive back Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin was born in Port Arthur, Texas, and was graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1956 and Baylor University in 1960. He ran track in high school and lettered in football, playing running back and defensive back. He was chosen All-District and All-State (second team). At Baylor, Gonsoulin played running back, defensive back and receiver and was team captain in 1959. His professional career began with the formation of the AFL in 1960. Gonsoulin played for the Denver Broncos for most of his career, playing only the 1967 season, his last, with the 49ers. Gonsoulin was the consummate safety. After the 1962 season, he was chosen for the All-AFL team and started in the AFL All-Star game. He was named All-AFL safety four times and played in the Pro-Bowl six times. He still holds Denver's standard for the most interceptions in a season (11) and is tied for the singlee game record (4). He held the career interception record (43) until 1987, when Steve Foley broke it with 44. Gonsoulin was chosen as one of four charter members to Denver's Ring of Fame, was picked to the Broncos' 20 year All-Star team, and was named to the Colorado Hall of Fame in 1984. He is marrid, has two children, and now works in construction.
Wade Phillips
Wade Phillips (1947) Coach Wade Phillips was born in Orange, Texas, the son of former NFL head coach Bum Phillips. He attended Port Neches-Groves High School and went on to be a three-year starter at linebacker at the University of Houston under head coach Bill Yeoman. Phillips began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1969, then coached at Orange High School for three years before moving to Oklahoma State in 1973 and Kansas in 1975. Phillips then spent five seasons with the Houston Oilers, coaching the linebackers in 1976 and the defensive line from 1977 through 1980. He served as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints from 1981 to 1985 and was the interim head coach for the final four games of the 1985 season, with a 1-3 record. Phillips then moved to Philadelphia, where he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1986 to 1988. From Philadelphia, Phillips moved to the Denver Broncos organization, where he became defensive coordinator. Under Phillips' leadership, the Broncos' defense led the AFC in fewest points allowed in 1989 and 1991 and the 1991, Denver team's defensive unit led the AFC in 12 different categories. Phillips also assumed the role of interim head coach during the 1990 preseason, posting a win over Indianapolis. Phillips became the tenth head coach in the Denver Broncos history on January 25, 1993, moving into the head-coaching slot from his previous position as defensive coordinator. The Broncos returned to the playoffs with the NFL's youngest club. The team led the AFC in points scored (373, third in the NFL and the fourth highest total in franchise history). The defense finished fifth in the AFC with points allowed (284) while the offense ranked third in both total offense and passing offense. Their 27 touchdown passes tied for the most ever by a Denver team. Wade has served for several years as the honorary chairman of a charity fund raiser for Flight for Life. He and his wife, Laurie, have two children, Tracy and Wesley.
Steve Worster
Steve, Coach Royal and Presdent Johnson
Steve Worster (1949) High school and college Hall of Famer Steve Worster was born in Rowlings, Wyoming, but moved with his family to Orange, Texas, as a small child. He graduated from Bridge City High School in 1967, where he played tailback on the football team and catcher on the baseball team. Worster was All-District for four years, All-State for two years, and a high school All-American. He led the Cardinals to the class 3A championship in 1966, running for 2,210 of his career 5,422 yards during the 13-1 season. When he left Bridge City, the school retired his jersey. He was later inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame. Worster entered the University of Texas on a football scholarship. He played fullback and was a three-time All-SWC, a two-time All-American, and third in line for the Heisman Trophy. The Longhorns won two national championships and went to three Cotton Bowls during Worster's four years, and he was voted MVP of the 1970 Cotton Bowl. He was inducted into UT's Hall of Honor in 1993. Worster was drafted by the Rams and played one year in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tigercats. He now works in sales. He and his wife have two children.

Back to Index Page