Coroner says Bubba Smith died of drug intoxication
LOS ANGELES — Bubba Smith, the former NFL player-turned-actor and TV pitchman, died of acute drug intoxication and other conditions, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Wednesday.
A caretaker at the 66-year-old Smith’s home in Baldwin Hills found his body on Aug. 3.
Autopsy results showed the 6-foot-7 Smith had high levels of the weight-loss drug phentermine in his system, coroner’s spokesman Ed Winter said in a news release. He also had heart disease, an enlarged heart and up to 75 percent blockage of some blood vessels.
Smith was the top overall pick in the 1967 draft after playing at Michigan State, where he was an All-America pick in 1966. His No. 95 jersey was retired in 2006.
He spent five seasons with the Baltimore Colts, where he played on the 1971 Super Bowl team, and two seasons each with Oakland and Houston.
As an actor, he played soft-spoken Officer Moses Hightower in the “Police Academy” movie series. He also appeared in such television series as “Good Times,” ”Charlie’s Angels,” and “Half Nelson,” and was a regular in the ground-breaking Miller Lite commercials featuring retired players.
NFL asks game officials to watch for concussions
NEW YORK — The NFL has told its game officials to watch closely for concussion symptoms in players.
Ten days after San Diego guard Kris Dielman sustained a head injury against the Jets and later suffered a seizure on the team’s flight home from New York, the league’s injury and safety panel issued the directive Wednesday.
“Our game officials will receive concussion awareness training and will remain alert to possible concussions during games,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said. “If an official believes a player may have suffered a concussion, he should take appropriate steps to alert the team and get medical attention for the player.”
Dielman was concussed with approximately 12 minutes remaining in the Oct. 23 game, after which he struggled to maintain balance. He finished the game despite the head injury and was not assessed until after the loss to New York.
The Chargers did not mention any injuries following the game and only announced Dielman’s injury shortly before the team boarded a plane for San Diego.
Dielman suffered a grand mal seizure near the end of the charter flight, although he was cleared of all long-term complications surrounding the concussion and seizure.
The Chargers came under scrutiny for how they handled Dielman’s injury, but coach Norv Turner said at the time he believed the team dealt with the situation as best it could.
“Everything was handled extremely well,” Turner said. “All the proper precautions were taken. Kris was evaluated when we landed and all the tests were excellent. We’re fortunate, he’s fortunate and we’re moving on.”
Dielman never came out of the game despite intermittent signs of struggle, although he performed well as a blocker. The Chargers said they never saw a reason to evaluate their Pro Bowl left guard.
Dielman sat out Monday night’s loss at Kansas City.
Caps’ Ovechkin upset with move, but supports it
ARLINGTON, Va. — Sure enough, two-time league MVP Alex Ovechkin says he was ticked off when he was left on the bench with the game on the line.
He also says he understands why the coach did it. And that it could very well happen again as part of the Washington Capitals’ season-long theme that calls for everyone to be more accountable.
Ovechkin wasn’t among the players coach Bruce Boudreau sent onto the ice after pulling the goalie with a one-goal deficit late in regulation Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks.
Television cameras caught what appeared to be some unpleasant words from Ovechkin directed at the coach.
But Boudreau’s move worked. The Capitals tied the score, then won 5-4 in overtime.
“Well, I was (ticked) off,” Ovechkin said Wednesday. “Of course I want to be in that situation on the ice, and you know it doesn’t matter who I said it (to) and what I said. It look funny on TV. It’s right now a big story. It’s just a little bit frustrating because I’m a leader on the team and I want to be on that kind of responsibility.”
Boudreau said he was “playing a hunch” by going with the third line of Brooks Laich, Jason Chimera and Joel Ward, supplemented by Nicklas Backstrom. Laich, Chimera and Ward were playing very well; the threesome accounted for seven points on the night.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time Alex is the first guy I’m looking at,” Boudreau said, “but these guys were going pretty good.”
But Boudreau hasn’t been shy about reducing ice time for top players in this young season. The message: Play well or sit.
“It’s the theme for the whole year. … I hope the message has gotten clear from July ’til now. I’m hoping we don’t change that message,” Boudreau said. “We’re going to try to stay strong with it. That’s what it is, and I think that’s the only way that we’re going to be successful.”
Boudreau says he didn’t hear what Ovechkin said on the bench, but he’s understands why his star player wouldn’t be happy.
“All our players — they’re all competitive,” Boudreau said. “And, yeah, I don’t want them to be complacent and say, ‘Oh that’s nice.’”
Ovechkin said it’s been a long time since he’s been left on the bench during such a crucial moment in the game.
“When I was little kid,” he said with a laugh. “So I’m right now back to young age again. So thanks, Bruce.”
Nevertheless, Ovechkin said Laich’s line deserved to be on the ice after having such a good game. Also, as the team captain, it’s important that he buy into the accountability theme.
“Yeah, it’s one team,” said Ovechkin, who has five goals and five assists through 10 games. “It doesn’t matter how good you are or who you are. If we want to win, we have to be on the same page.”
Houshmandzadeh practices for first time with Raiders
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders got their first look at new receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh on the practice field and it looked like old times with him catching passes from Carson Palmer.
Houshmandzadeh practiced with his new team on Wednesday, a day after signing a contract with Oakland. His addition gives Palmer a receiver he knows well as the two played six seasons together in Cincinnati and worked out together as recently as last month before Palmer was traded to the Raiders.
Even if Houshmandzadeh can step in and contribute immediately this week against Denver, the more pressing concern for the Raiders offense is the health of star running back Darren McFadden. McFadden did not practice and is still on crutches with a sprained right foot sustained Oct. 23 against Kansas City.
Ex-NASCAR driver Mayfield arrested on drug charge
CATAWBA, N.C. — Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, barred from the association since 2009 for a failed drug test, was arrested at his western North Carolina home and charged with possession of methamphetamine, and police said Wednesday he may face more charges.
Mayfield was arrested Tuesday night and charged possessing 1.5 grams of meth, according to records from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Mayfield, 42, posted $3,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in district court on Wednesday. A call to the clerk’s office in Newton was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.
Detectives from neighboring Lincoln County said roughly $100,000 worth of items that belonged to businesses in that county were also found at Mayfield’s home, and they plan to charge him with possession of stolen goods.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says Mayfield had heavy equipment parts, welders and welding accessories, truck parts, an engraving machine and other items that they say were reported stolen from two businesses in late 2010 and early 2011.
The phone rang unanswered at Mayfield’s home in the town of Catawba multiple times Wednesday. It wasn’t immediately clear if he has a lawyer representing him in the drug case.
The former Sprint Cup driver was suspended from NASCAR in May 2009 after failing a random drug test. Mayfield denied he was using an illegal drug, but NASCAR said he tested positive for methamphetamines.
In unsuccessful legal challenges to his suspension, Mayfield said his positive test stemmed from a mix of an over-the-counter allergy medication and the prescription drug Adderall.
“Having just heard and read the news about the Jeremy Mayfield incident, we will have to see how the facts play out,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said in an e-mail message. “NASCAR’s goal in its substance abuse program has always been to keep competitors safe and create treatment opportunities for those who need it.”
Browns’ Hillis sorry for missing kids’ event
BEREA, Ohio — Browns running back Peyton Hillis has apologized for missing a Halloween party for kids, an absence he blamed on a miscommunication.
Hillis, whose second season with Cleveland has included a contract squabble with the team and missing a game with strep throat, said Wednesday he was sorry for not attending the charity event at a downtown Boys & Girls club. Hillis was supposed to hand out candy to 50 children at the event, which was hosted by former NFL lineman LeCharles Bentley.
Hillis didn’t show up at Monday’s event and said a miscommunication with his representatives caused him to miss the party. Hillis, who has missed the past two games with a strained hamstring, was widely criticized for skipping the event. Hillis promised to “make that up” at some point in the future.
Bentley said “we can all move forward. He’s a great player and I wish him the best.”
Pujols statue unveiled outside star’s restaurant
ST. LOUIS — With hundreds of fans cheering and many urging him to stay, St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols watched the unveiling of a 10-foot statue of himself Wednesday and then said he wasn’t yet sure where he would wind up next season.
Pujols did not mention free agency during his speech as he stood near the 10-foot, 1,100-pound bronze likeness of himself outside his restaurant. He dodged the issue later with reporters.
“Just like my wife says, we’re going to be praying about it and whenever the time comes we’ll make that decision,” Pujols said.
One reporter noted that “you can’t pack the statue with you,” and wondered if the Pujols Family Foundation would remain in St. Louis if Pujols signed elsewhere.
“Hopefully I don’t have to make that decision,” Pujols said. “We’re just going to see where God takes us. I don’t want to get ahead of God’s plan and say ‘Oh, we’re going to be here,’ and then something happens and I look bad. Whether it’s here or wherever, I believe our foundation is going to help the city of St. Louis.”
The 31-year-old Pujols is a free agent for the first time after spending his first 11 major league seasons with the Cardinals. The two sides did not discuss a contract extension during the season, which ended with a World Series championship last week.
Funds for the statue were provided by an anonymous donor two years ago. The sculpture has religious overtones depicting a familiar pose with Pujols raising his arms skyward while crossing home plate. It was made by Harry Weber and is similar to Weber’s work on Cardinals Hall of Famers outside Busch Stadium. One of the Hall of Famers, Lou Brock, attended the ceremony with his wife.
“There’s going to be a lot of people asking, ‘Well, why is he not swinging the bat?’” Pujols told the crowd during his speech. “That’s to remind me it’s not about me, but it’s about Jesus Christ who gave his life so we can have eternal life. It’s really easy to lose focus when you have millions of people telling you how great you are.”
There are no statues of Pujols outside Busch Stadium, at least not yet. Only the team’s Hall of Famers are honored, and there are two Stan Musial statues.
“That statue is unbelievable,” said Pujols’ wife, Deirdre. “For somebody to even want to do something like this, it’s pretty humbling.”
“Unbelievable job,” Albert Pujols said. “Look at that!”
The Cardinals won their second World Series of the Pujols era on Friday. Pujols said the days since have been “probably the best week of my life.”
Pujols said he spoke earlier Wednesday with Tony La Russa, who retired this week after 16 seasons with the Cardinals and 33 years overall. He said La Russa was “kind of down.”
“He wanted to make sure I was OK, and I was like ‘Yeah, I’m all right,’” he said. “I was asking, ‘Are you OK?’ What a way to go out.”
Pujols said La Russa has been a father figure for him.
“He’s been a mentor the last 11 years,” Pujols said. “Just because he’s not going to be here to manage, that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop that relationship.”