Bruce Smith (Heisman)

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Bruce P. Smith (February 8, 1920 – August 28, 1967), nicknamed "Boo", was an American football player best known for winning the Heisman Trophy in 1941.

Smith was born in Faribault, Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota. He played halfback for the back to back mythical national champions Gophers in 1940 and 1941. He received the Heisman two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During the War he served as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot. After the war he briefly played in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers (1945–1948) and Los Angeles Rams (1948).

He was diagnosed with from cancer in the spring of 1967, and spent the next several months visiting young cancer patients with the Rev. William Cantwell. Smith lost over half his body weight before succumbing to the disease. Cantwell, who was unfamiliar with Smith's sports achievements, nominated Smith for sainthood.

In 1972, Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His number 54 was the first to be officially retired by the Gophers, in 1977.

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