Milt Smith (American football)
Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
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Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Santa Ana (CA) |
College: | UCLA |
NFL draft: | 1944 / Round: 23 / Pick: 234 |
Career history | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Career NFL statistics | |
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Milton Bradley Smith (July 17, 1919 – August 5, 2010) was an
During World War II Smith served as a lieutenant in the United States Army, fighting on the European front, where he was severely wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. Smith was later the proprietor of Smith's Sporting Goods, located in Westwood, Los Angeles, California.
Biography
Early years
Milton Bradley Smith, known to his family and friends by the nickname "Milt," was born July 17, 1919, in Redlands, California.
Smith attended Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana, California,[1] which remains today the oldest and largest high school in Southern California's Orange County.
College career
Following his graduation from high school, Smith enrolled in the fall of 1939 at the
Officially listed at the playing weight of 180 pounds during his first year as a UCLA starter, Smith wore jersey number 48 for the Bruins.
Despite the abrupt and painful end to his 1940 season, Smith's play still merited his inclusion by sportswriters as a second-team member of the 1940 Associated Press All-Pacific Coast Football Team.[4]
Smith was able to rehabilitate his injury and was ready for return to the UCLA starting lineup at the left end position in time for the start of the 1941 season, where he would once again become a favorite target of future
In the 1942 season, Smith was tapped by the Associated Press for All-Pacific Coast 3rd Team honors.[8] Smith would start for UCLA in the 1943 Rose Bowl at Pasadena, California, won by the University of Georgia Bulldogs, 9–0.
Military service
Following graduation at UCLA in 1943, Smith was enlisted in the
During World War II Smith was commissioned as a lieutenant.[11]
Smith was very badly wounded at the Battle of the Bulge and nearly left for dead by medics.[12] Someone spotted his engraved 1943 Rose Bowl watch, however, and shouted, "This is one guy we've got to save!" causing extraordinary measures to be taken to help Smith survive.[12] Fully 18 months of convalescence followed, as Smith slowly recovered from his severe wartime wounds.[12]
After football
In addition to being a football player, Smith was a very proficient
Smith was a resident of Marina del Rey, California, during his final years.[14]
Death and legacy
Smith died August 5, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. He was 91 years old at the time of his death.
Smith was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Smith, and survived by one of his two daughters, as well as various other relatives.[11]
Footnotes
- ^ Football Tabs," Klamath Falls Evening Herald, Sept. 14, 1940, pg. 10.
- ^ a b "UCLA-Oregon Lineups," Eugene Guard, Nov. 8, 1940, pg. 9.
- ^ "Bruins Will Work Out Behind Closed Gates," Fresno Bee, Nov. 25, 1940, pg. 10.
- ^ "The 1940 Associated Press All-Pacific Coast," Klamath Falls Evening Herald, Dec. 6, 1940, pg. 10.
- ^ "Taylor Shifted to Quarterback on Southern California Team," San Bernardino County [CA] Sun, Sept. 12, 1941, pg. 12.
- ^ Paul Zimmerman, "Pacific Coast," in Charles Moran (ed.), Street and Smith's Football Pictorial Year Book, 1941. New York: Street & Smith Publications, 1941; pg. 45.
- ^ "Albert Most Popular Choice of UP Writers," San Mateo [CA] Times, Dec. 4, 1941, pg. 12.
- ^ "All Pacific Coast Grid Team, San Bernardino County [CA Sun, Dec. 10, 1942, pg. 22.
- ^ a b "Plenty Players But No Team," Salem Daily Capital Journal, Aug. 3, 1943, pg. 6.
- ^ a b "Milt Smith," Pro-Football Reference.com, www.pro-football-reference.com/
- ^ a b c d "Milton Bradley Smith: Obituary," Los Angeles Times, Aug. 22, 2010.
- ^ a b c Chris Foster, "UCLA's First Win over USC was a Battle, but Don't Dare Call it War," Los Angeles Times, Nov. 13, 2012.
- ^ "Quitting Motor Business, Need Cash" (ad), Van Nuys [CA] News, July 13, 1958, pg. 55.
- ^ "Milton Bradley Smith," Tributes.com, www.tributes.com/
External links
- "Milt Smith," Pro-Football Reference.com, www.pro-football-reference.com/