'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

Oklahoma State students celebrate upset win over No. 6 Oregon by marching goalpost to pond
On Saturday, Oklahoma State proved that you can, in fact, lead a goalpost to water. In the grand tradition of college football upsets, OSU's goalpost...
Sun Sep 13, 2026

Takeaways from College Football Week 2: Texas roars back as Ohio State, Oregon stumble
Steve Sarkisian got what he needed most. He beat one of college football’s bluest bluebloods. I know he took the Longhorns to the semifinals of the...
Sun Sep 13, 2026

Candid Coaches: Who is the most powerful person in college basketball?
The combination of agents, lawyers and judges accounting for 40% of the vote underlines how coaches feel about the current state of things -- specifically...
Sat Sep 12, 2026

SEC presidents and chancellors meet without voting on LSU’s membership
SEC leaders met by video conference on Thursday without holding a vote on LSU’s membership. The SEC had threatened as part of a federal lawsuit...
Sat Sep 12, 2026