Awful, awful news.
The NFL is mourning the loss of former defensive star Will Smith this morning, after the former New Orleans Saints defensive star was shot dead in the city last night.
Smith, who played a crucial part in the team which brought New Orleans together following Hurricane Katrina and had a huge role in the franchise’s only Super Bowl triumph in 2009, was killed following a road rage incident.
NOLA.com reports that Smith and his wife, Racquel, were travelling in their vehicle when they were hit from behind by and thrust forward into a third vehicle.
According to the police description of the incident, Smith and his wife were traveling eastbound on Sophie Wright Place when their Mercedes Benz SUV was rear-ended by a Hummer H2. The collision caused the Smiths’ vehicle to hit a Chevrolet Impala traveling along the same street.
Smith and the driver of the Hummer “exchanged words, at which time the driver of the Hummer produced a handgun and shot (Smith) multiple times and his 34-year-old wife twice in the right leg,” [police spokesman Juan] Barnes said in a statement.
Smith, who leaves behind three young children, died at the scene, while his wife is being treated in hospital. The driver of the Hummer is now in police custody.
The 34-year-old defensive end was drafted by the Saints in 2004 and played nine seasons in New Orleans, racking up 67.5 career sacks, including a team high 13 during their Super Bowl-winning campaign.
The Saints and a host of Smith’s former team-mates and other NFL players took to Twitter to express their shock at Smith’s death.
A senseless and tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith – his wife Racquel – his children William, Wynter and Lisa.
— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) April 10, 2016
Devastated. Lord please be with the Smith family at this tragic time. Nonsense man…
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) April 10, 2016
RIP WILL SMITH.. #NewOrleans
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) April 10, 2016
Another untimely death. My heart is saddened of the news of fmr NO Saints Will Smith. My prayers r with his family and wife who was shot too
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) April 10, 2016
Sick to my stomach! This one hurts
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) April 10, 2016
