'I’m on the Road to Recovery:' Collapse of NCAA Tourney Ref Bert Smith Caused by Blood Clot

Posted Apr 20, 2021
Bert Smith just now finished returning the text messages. There were 500 of them. There were ones from coaches, ones from colleagues, ones from family. We’re praying for you. We’re rooting for you. Get better. They poured into Smith’s phone after he collapsed on national television during Gonzaga’s eventual win over USC in a men's Elite Eight game. (Sports Illustrated)

Related: Other News

Johnston County softball team wins Little League Softball World Series, coach goes viral
The Johnston County Little League 12U Softball team continued a winning tradition for the state on Sunday, defeating Kentucky 2-0 in the championship game of...
Thu Aug 13, 2026

Viewer's guide to the college football season: Rankings, transfers, contenders and more
It's mid-August, which means we are mere weeks away from kickoff of the 2026 college football season. We've now had two iterations of the 12-team...
Thu Aug 13, 2026

Projecting every Big Ten basketball team's floor and ceiling for 2026-27
1. Michigan State Spartans - Tom Izzo has a roster built to win a national championship. Jeremy Fears Jr., a second team AP All-American last...
Thu Aug 13, 2026

Field of 68 organizes opening day marathon that features mid-major basketball programs
The 2026-27 college basketball season will open with a marathon event featuring 16 mid-major programs. The Field of 68 is reviving a tipoff event that...
Wed Aug 12, 2026