HBO Real Sports Part 3: Steve Smith, former Penn State and Raider Football Player, has ALS

Please go to www.stevesmithfund.org to donate to Steve Smith as he courageously battles ALS. This is Part 3 of 3 Clips: On August 17, 2010, HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel featured Steve Smith, former team captain on Penn State's 1986 National Championship team and former running back for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. The Real Sports' investigative team reports for the first time on the discovery of a link between sports concussions and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. The episode discusses new research that shows a connection between ALS and brain damage caused by repeated concussions, just the sort of injury which football players like Steve, endure during their careers. Steve has been battling ALS since 2002. He cannot speak because of a ventilator and receives his food through a feeding tube. He communicates via a state of the art computer system. He was a third-round draft choice of the Raiders in the 1987 NFL draft. Converted to fullback, he blocked for Raiders running backs Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen. He then spent 2 seasons with Seattle until a back injury ended his career. Although primarily a blocker, Steve finished his career with 1627 rushing yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.

The feature total running time is 24 minutes, consisting of 3 total parts.

This clip is produced by HBO Real Sports. We received permission to use for viewing purposes only on this YouTube channel.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Steve Smith
• Penn State Football
• Joe Paterno
• 1986 national championship
• Raiders
• Oakland Raiders
• Penn State
• Chie Smith
• Lou Gehrig
• Lou Gehrig's disease
• ALS
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Bryant Gumbel
• Real Sports
• HBO
• head injuries
• head traumas
• sports injuries
• football head injuries

[psu68born]

finding this out about lou gehrig was shocking it makes sense though

[RAINBOWLIZY333]

Sports head concussions has a lot to do with the causes that trigger ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). More people should be made aware these injuries can cause the affect of suffering from these disease.

[AngeLBarraganJR]

Seeing Steve Smith is breaking my heart I hope theres a way of saving him.

[8855sp]

Chie,

God Bless you for what you're going through! God Be with you! We were once High school buddies. I cant imagine what you're going through. I'm a Nurse now so I have a bit of an idea. We have a good friend who also has ALS, she was an extreme athelete/Runner and young @ 53yrs old. Would Love to hear from you!! God Bless You both. Sue Chavez from High School -hope to hear from you on facebook.

[PeopleNeed2LoveMore]

My husband fights Lou Gehrig's/ALS I feel for you and your family Steve & I UNDERSTAND, keep fighting !!!!!!!!!!!

[delanogaston]

I didn't know you very long Steve, but I hope you get that miracle. Just keep fighting, and I will keep you in my prayers.