University Southern California Trojans
'Wild Bunch' Member, Tody Smith, Dies
July 19, 1999 | Football
July 19, 1999
LOS ANGELES - Tody Smith, a member of USC's famous 1969 defensive line known as "The Wild Bunch" and the younger brother of ex-Michigan State and Baltimore Colts star Bubba Smith, died in his sleep early Sunday (July 18) at his home in Los Angeles. He was 50.
Smith lettered for two seasons (1969-70) as a defensive tackle at USC. He joined with Al Cowlings, Jimmy Gunn, Willard "Bubba" Scott and Charlie Weaver to form "The Wild Bunch," a ferocious defensive front that was inspired by Sam Peckinpah's 1969 Western movie of the same name. That fivesome allowed a league-low 95.6 rushing yards a game in 1969 and helped the Trojans to a 10-0-1 record, a No. 3 AP ranking and a 10-3 win over Michigan in the 1970 Rose Bowl.
He was a first round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1971 and spent six years in the NFL with the Cowboys (1971-72), Houston Oilers (1973-76) and Buffalo Bills (1976). He played in Super Bowl VI in 1972.
Smith was a prep All-American at Charlton-Pollard High in Beaumont, Tex., where he played for his father, W.R. Smith. He then spent his freshman and sophomore years at Michigan State before transferring to USC.
After his football career, Smith worked in the entertainment industry, including management, representation and development.
He is survived by his wife, Cha'e, a daughter, Rheo, 11, and a son, Dakota, 7.
Services are pending.
