BleedGopher
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Per LWOS:
Smith earned Minnesota’s first Heisman Trophy as he helped the Gophers win two national championships in a row. He received the Heisman just two days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Smith’s acceptance speech is one for the history books.
Smith was the Marquis triple-threat tailback of his era, he epitomized the single-wing offense and could seemingly do it all. Although well over 200 pounds, he was one of the Big Ten Conference’s fastest men. In 1941, the team captain led the Gophers to their second consecutive undefeated season and national championship. For his efforts, Smith beat out Notre Dame’s Angelo Bertelli for the Heisman.
After graduation, Smith earned MVP honors in the College All-Star game against the Chicago Bears that summer. The following year, before serving in World War II, he went to Hollywood and starred in the movie “Smith of Minnesota,” which tells the story of a small-town family whose son becomes an All-American halfback.
Smith became a Navy fighter pilot and also played football for the Great Lakes Navy team. After returning home in 1945, he joined the Green Bay Packers and later the Los Angeles Rams. He spent four years in the NFL, mostly playing defense, but injuries kept him from reaching the same level of success he had in college.
In 1947, Smith almost died after suffering a ruptured kidney during a game against the Chicago Bears. After that, he retired at age 29 and returned to Faribault to raise his family.
Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972. In 1977, he became the first Minnesota player to have his number, 54, retired.
Smith was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 1967 and passed away from the disease on August 28 that year.
lastwordonsports.com
Go Gophers!!
Bruce Smith (54) Days Away From College Football Kickoff
First Gopher Heisman
Bruce Smith was a standout athlete at Faribault High School. He decided to attend the University of Minnesota, following in his father’s footsteps, who had attended in 1911.Smith earned Minnesota’s first Heisman Trophy as he helped the Gophers win two national championships in a row. He received the Heisman just two days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Smith’s acceptance speech is one for the history books.
Smith was the Marquis triple-threat tailback of his era, he epitomized the single-wing offense and could seemingly do it all. Although well over 200 pounds, he was one of the Big Ten Conference’s fastest men. In 1941, the team captain led the Gophers to their second consecutive undefeated season and national championship. For his efforts, Smith beat out Notre Dame’s Angelo Bertelli for the Heisman.
After graduation, Smith earned MVP honors in the College All-Star game against the Chicago Bears that summer. The following year, before serving in World War II, he went to Hollywood and starred in the movie “Smith of Minnesota,” which tells the story of a small-town family whose son becomes an All-American halfback.
Smith became a Navy fighter pilot and also played football for the Great Lakes Navy team. After returning home in 1945, he joined the Green Bay Packers and later the Los Angeles Rams. He spent four years in the NFL, mostly playing defense, but injuries kept him from reaching the same level of success he had in college.
In 1947, Smith almost died after suffering a ruptured kidney during a game against the Chicago Bears. After that, he retired at age 29 and returned to Faribault to raise his family.
Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972. In 1977, he became the first Minnesota player to have his number, 54, retired.
Smith was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 1967 and passed away from the disease on August 28 that year.
54 Days Away From College Football Kickoff
54 Days Away From College Football Kickoff. Today, we have Bruce Smith a Heisman winning Golden Gopher. We also have Dwight Freeney from Syracuse.
lastwordonsports.com
Go Gophers!!
