Bruce Smith (1940s)

[edit] Biography

Bruce P. Smith, born on February 8, 1920 in Faribault, Minn., played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams but is best known for winning the Heisman Trophy in 1941 during his senior year at the University of Minnesota.

Nicknamed "Boo," Smith played halfback on the Gophers' 1940 and 1941 National Championship teams.

After his collegiate career, Smith enlisted with Navy and became a fighter pilot during World War II. Upon returning, he signed with the Packers and played three and a half seasons with them before finishing off the 1948 year with the Rams.

Smith was diagnosed with cancer in 1967 and died later that year. He was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1972 and his number 54 became the first to be officially retired by the Gophers in 1977.

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