
Super Bowl III - Jets QB Joe Namath gets a pass off under some heavy pressure from the Colts Bubba Smith.

5 seasons as Colt - "unofficially" credited with 43 sacks.


Another picture from the Jets-Colts clash in Super Bowl III. Bubba Smith again in Joe Namath's face.

Bubba Smith gets to Bills Quarterback Dennis Shaw



49ers QB John Brodie (#12) seeks to get the pass off before the inevitable upcoming collision with Colts defensive lineman Bubba Smith (#78).

Big Bubba Smith (#78) of the Colts avoids the block of Packers great Forrest Gregg (#75) and gets ready to take on center Bob Hyland (#50). We think the Packer in the background is fullback Jim Grabowski.

Surrounded by Colts defenders Bubba Smith (#78), Roy Hilton (#85) & Billy Ray Smith (#74) Redskins QB Sonny Jurgensen gets the pass off from deep in own territory. From 1969 - despite a 339-yard, 2-touchdown day by Jurgensen his Redskins were dominated by Baltimore 41-17.

The Colts 1st-round draft pick out of Michigan State Defensive Tackle Bubba Smith

Bubba Smith gets to Joe Namath and hits his passing arm before he can follow through. Also applying pressure in Namath's face is Billy Ray Smith as well.

When the NFL and AFL officially merged in 1970 the Colts found themselves aligned in the AFL-heavy American Football Conference. Here defensive lineman gets to Bills rookie Dennis Shaw out of USC. A Pro Bowler in 1970, Smith has been credited with 10 sacks that season.

6-foot 8-inch Bubba Smith of the Baltimore Colts sometime during the early 1970s.

The San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Colts in a 1969 Exhibition game. Former AFL All Star Keith Lincoln, sporting #9 on his jersey, has the Colts defense in hot pursuit of him as he carries the ball with #65, center Sam Gruneisen in support. Injured in 1968 after re-joining his former team Lincoln was attempting a comeback in 1969. If anyone could further elaborate on this I'd love to hear about.
The Colts shown are Bubba Smith - #78, Mike Curtis, #32 and bonus points for anyone who can ID #25.

The Dolphins Bob Griese comes under some heavy pressure from the Colts Bubba Smith. In 1970 the Dolphins had their first ever winning season, winning 10 games and making it to the AFC playoffs as a Wildcard team.

In 1973 the Colts traded Bubba Smith to the Raiders for tight end Raymond Chester. Smith remained in Oakland for 2 seasons, starting a total of 25 games and unofficially recording 7½ sacks. Here he has Chargers QB Wayne Clark in his grasp.