'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

Kansas' Bill Self dishes on 2026-27 Jayhawks roster, compares Tyran Stokes to Carmelo Anthony
For the second straight season, Bill Self has the No. 1 recruit in the country. Five-star forward Tyran Stokes picked Kansas in late April, but...
Mon Aug 24, 2026

Big 12 football preview: Texas Tech, Deion Sanders, first-year coaches lead top storylines
The very first thing commissioner Brett Yormark said when he sat down with me at Big 12 media days was this: “For the short-term and...
Mon Aug 24, 2026

Former UNC QB Max Johnson to start for Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern has named quarterback Max Johnson as the Eagles' starter. This will be the seventh season of college football for Johnson, 25, who will...
Sun Aug 23, 2026

Louisville basketball dismisses former G League guard London Johnson
London Johnson's unusual Louisville basketball career is over without him ever playing a game for the Cardinals. The former NBA G League guard whose signing...
Sun Aug 23, 2026