Funeral arrangements are pending for Roy "Looney" Smith, a guard-defensive end on the 1950 Tennessee football team that was considered among the best in school history.
Mr. Smith, 80, died early Sunday morning.
"Looney kept people laughing," recalled former teammate Pat Shires, who was a sophomore on that 1950 team that went 11-1 and paved the way for the 1951 national championship team.
"He was a funny guy, but a good football player."
Mr. Smith lettered 1947-50 after a standout career at Rule High School.
Later, he co-owned a gas station with his old linemate Doug Atkins and also was a pharmaceutical representative with Pfizer Chemical.
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Comments » 9
proudveteran writes:
One of the best ones to play at UT. Knew him well. After UT he played for an Air Force base team. In 1953 Smith was with the Cleveland Browns along with Doug Atkins. He stayed until the last cut and returned to Knoxville. Weeb Eubank immediately signed him to play for Ottawa in the Canadian league where he played five years. Fantastic guy with a great sense of humor and funny stories.
FWBVol writes:
Did you really read this story? The guy was 80 years old, and at one time he was in pharmacutical sales. Where is the implication that his death had anything to do with drugs?
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess he died of old age.
volfan73120#211815 writes:
Looney was a great guy. I am glad I got to see him play in high school and college.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
BigOrangeVol writes:
Our best to the Smith family in their time if sorrow.
Reggie died from Sarcoidosis. I still haven't seen anything from an autopsy or toxicology report about the cause of death on Chris for two months. The smiles from those two guys would light up a room every time! They were just BIG little boys.
Toidislov your demise with surely bring joy to the World; we can only hope it's sooner than later.
GR82BAVOL writes:
I will offer no opinion here, only thoughts and prayers.
It's always sad to hear about a fallen VOL. It does appear he had a good life.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
So long Looney....you were a tribute to the Vols...we'll never forget you, pal.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Why 36....Son, where have you been to place former Vol great Doug Atkins as slow and small. ???? Are you aware that even today Doug Atkins is considered one of the top three defensive linemen in pro football history. The late Chicago Bears coach George Halas tabbed Atkins as one of the most effective and toughest football he ever saw. at 6'8" he high jumped 6'10" in his first try ever as a freshman> Acclaimed as one of the all-time strongest pro players ever. AND HE WAS A FORMER VOL-ALL-AMERICAN under Gen Neyland, who called Atkins the "Strongest kid he ever saw".
Go4Two writes:
George Allen called Doug Atkins the greatest football player he had ever seen. I know some on this site will say who..Allen is one of only a hand full of NFL coaches to win 100 games in 10 years.
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