Bubba Smith

One of the most physically formidable athletes in the history of professional football, Bubba Smith was a Super Bowl-winning defensive end for the Baltimore Colts before retiring in the mid-1970s to concentrate on acting in features and television, most notably in the "Police Academy" franchise. At 6'8," Smith was an intimidating presence on the field - he once joked that his game strategy was to grab a number of players, find out which one had the ball, and discard the rest - but spoofed his sports persona on screen by playing genial, even passive figures like "Police Academy's" Moses Hightower, a gentle florist with self-confidence issues. As an actor, Smith was frequently paired with another formidable gridiron great, Dick Butkus; their likable rapport together was often the best part of their collaborative projects. Though never a major star in Hollywood, Smith's football glories remained unvarnished after nearly four decades, and his honors included induction into the College Football Hall of Fame and the retirement of his college jersey in 2006.