Standout Ram Kick Returner Vitamin T. Smith Dead at 76

Verda “Vitamin T.” Smith, a running back for the 1951 NFL champion Los Angeles Rams who once held the single-season record for kickoff returns for touchdowns, has died at 76. Smith, who died Monday, reportedly had Alzheimer’s disease.

Smith joined the Rams out of Abilene Christian as part of a famous rookie class of 1949 that included Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin, Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch and Paul “Tank” Younger.

Smith had 1,025 yards as a receiver and 12 touchdowns, returned 75 punts for 814 yards and one touchdown, and returned 57 kickoffs for 1,453 yards and three touchdowns in five seasons with the Rams. He led the NFL in punt return yards with 427 in 1949 and in kickoff return yards with 742 in 1950. Smith’s three touchdowns on kickoff returns in 1950 stood as the NFL record until Green Bay’s Travis Williams returned four in 1967.