Former NFL defensive end Chris Smith, whose death was confirmed Monday, previously spoke of how he leaned on his Browns teammates after the tragic death of his girlfriend in September 2019.
Smith, who was 31, said in November 2019 that he was getting used to his “new normal” after his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, was struck by a passing car after getting out of her vehicle two months earlier. and was killed.
On Sept. 11, 2019, Cordero, 26, was hit by an oncoming vehicle while the couple was parked on a Cleveland highway when Smith’s Lamborghini suffered a flat tire and the median, the Browns said in a statement at the time. wandered into
Smith, then entering his second season with Cleveland, was driving while Cordero was in the passenger seat.
“He felt no pain,” Smith told Sports Illustrated of Cordero in 2020. “It was like she died in her sleep.”
He said former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, now with the Buccaneers, “lived two doors down” from where he lived at the time.
“I fell into his arms crying,” said Smith, who said he almost gave up on football but his teammates “picked me up.”
On Tuesday, Mayfield’s wife, Emily, wrote on her Instagram Story, “Life is fragile. RIP Chris Smith.”
“I’m doing well. I’m better than ever,” Smith explained Akron Beacon Journal In November 2019. “I’ve gotten used to the new normal. I think it’s because of being around my peers, my family. Football helped me a lot.
“As a spiritual person myself, things happen for a reason. You may not like the way they happen, but God makes no mistakes. He is one of God’s angels. He had to take her home.”
Smith and Cordero share a daughter, Haven Harris Smith, who was four months old at the time of her mother’s death.
Smith, who missed a game against the Colts to attend the birth, has two other children from separate relationships.
“That night we were talking about Heaven, a family, trips and things like that and then the next thing you know she was gone,” Smith explained. Charlotte’s WSOC-TV After signing with the Panthers in March 2020.
“So it’s like, ‘Man, God, really?’
Smith became the ambassador Emergency Safety Solutions, Inc. in 2020 For, to advocate for Hazard Enhanced Lighting Package (HELP) to be implemented in all new passenger vehicles.
Smith’s former high school football program, West Rowan (North Carolina) shared the news of his death on Twitter on Monday, followed by his agent. Drew Rosenhaus.
No cause of death has been released for Smith.
“Rest in Peace legend of Western Rowan!” The West Rowan High School football program tweeted Monday.
“Chris was a better person than player! The impact he had on those around him will always be remembered! ”
Rosenhaus added, “Rest in peace Chris. Condolences to all his family, friends and loved ones. We will miss you.”
The former defensive end spent eight seasons in the league playing for the Jaguars, Bengals, Browns, Raiders and Texans from 2014-21.
Smith — who was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft — appeared in 72 games, starting two contests for Cleveland in 2018.
He totaled 11 career sacks, three forced fumbles and 80 tackles.
Smith had a brief stint with the XFL, and played in four games with the Seattle Sea Dragons in 2022, making five tackles.
The Arkansas product was second-team All-SEC in 2013.
