Chris Smith, a 31-year-old defensive end for the NFL, has died. The tragic news was confirmed by West Rowan High School on Monday. A cause of death is yet to be announced.
More on this story below.
Chris Smith, a 31-year-old defensive end for the NFL, has died. The tragic news was confirmed by West Rowan High School on Monday. A cause of death is yet to be announced.
More on this story below.
The high school's football account broke the news on Twitter with a tribute post for the beloved athlete.
Fans, fellow athletes, and locals reacted to the news and sent their condolences online.
Positive stories about Smith resurfaced and many called him a kind soul.
He made an impact not just for his athleticism but also for his positive spirit.
The tragic loss is felt by his fans, family, and the whole community. Smith was a stand-up guy who had been a generous donor to several local projects.
While his successful career brought him to the NFL, he never forgot his roots and stayed close to the Rowan County community.
The talented athlete started as a defensive end for West Rowan during the state championship seasons 2008 - 2009. He was the Shrine Bowl Defensive MVP in 2009.
His dedication to the sport and impressive abilities led him to the NFL. He was first drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014.
He had his best NFL season in 2017 and 2018 when he played for Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns the following year.
In 2019, Smith's girlfriend, Petara Cordero, died in a tragic accident on a Cleveland highway. She was 26 years old.
According to reports, Petara was a passenger in Smith's Lamborghini when the car had a tire malfunction and spun on the road.
The couple exited the car without major injuries but Cordero was struck by an oncoming vehicle while waiting on the side of the road. Smith survived the accident with no injuries.
The driver that hit Petara was a 47-year-old woman who later admitted that she had been drinking.
The Browns released a statement after the tragedy. “Words cannot describe the sorrow we feel for Chris following the loss of his girlfriend, Petara. Our entire organization mourns with Chris, his family, and the Cordero family. We will do everything possible to offer them our support, comfort, and any resources in this most difficult time.”
Chris also posted a tribute to Petara on his Instagram. "God has a plan for all of us we can’t understand but she is in a better place now and she can rest easy. My wifey my best friend and the mother of my beautiful daughter. Love you baby❤️🙏🏾 #StayStrong🙏🏾🥰❤️ #RIPMyLove," he wrote.
Just a month before the tragedy, Petara had just given birth to their daughter.
After the birth of their daughter, Chris uploaded a celebratory post for his girlfriend and Baby Haven.
"I’m so thankful to have another beautiful gift in this world my daughter Haven Harris Smith. You are such a blessing to me and your mother!! Love you Petara and Baby Haven❤️❤️❤️."
There has been no official word yet from Smith's team about his cause of death. He last played on Sunday for XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons, who won over St. Louis Battlehawks. He was announced dead the next day.