The Las Vegas Raiders announced today that Steve Smith, a former fullback for the team in Oakland, has passed away today. Smith succumbed to Lou Gehrig's disease, an ailment he's been battling for more than two decades now.
Here's the Raiders full statement on Steve Smith's passing.
The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Steve Smith, who valiantly battled Lou Gehrig's Disease for two decades. Steve and his wife Chie are an inspiration, smiling every day while always working for a cure for ALS. The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with Chie, their children Dante and Jazmin, and their grandson Little Steve.
The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Steve Smith, who valiantly battled Lou Gehrig’s Disease for two decades.
» https://t.co/ChD7Dz785y pic.twitter.com/aNx1xihB0v
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 21, 2021
Smith was drafted in 1987 by the then-Oakland Raiders in the third round of the NFL Draft. Prior to that, he was a college star for the Nittany Lions. He played seven seasons for the Raiders and two with the Seattle Seahawks. He was one of the main blockers for the team, protecting former stars such as Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen. Despite fullbacks being primarily used as blockers, Smith found time to run with the ball too: he had 1, 627 career rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.
Smith was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS for short) two decades ago. ALS is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system where the patient loses control of his ability to move certain muscles. It has affected other former NFL stars such as Bears legend Steve McMichael. The former Raiders fullback started feeling the worst effects of ALS in recent years, losing the ability to walk on his own and talk. Despite that, he and his wife Chie fought valiantly to find a cure for the degenerative disease.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Smith family.
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