Another day, and other dead celebrity.
In no way do I mean to disrespect Mr. Smith or his family, nor do I seek to minimize his death. I am merely trying to point out that nearly everyday we are reporting on another young and presumably healthy star suddenly dropping dead.
Maybe I am mistaken, but I sure do not remember this happening before … you know, ‘the thing.’
This story is brand new and not much is known yet as to the details, but this is what we know as of now …
Fox News is reporting:
Chris Smith, a former NFL defensive end who played for several teams over the course of his eight-year career, has died, according to an obituary in a North Carolina newspaper. He was 31.
The circumstances around Smith’s death were not immediately known.
West Rowan High School in North Carolina and Smith’s former Cleveland Browns teammate David Njoku were among those who sent their condolences on social media.
“Rest in Peace to a West Rowan Legend! Chris was a better person than he was player! The impact he had on those around him will be remembered forever!” the high school’s football Twitter account wrote.
Njoku added: “Rest in paradise Chris Smith. Hometown hero and a brother to everyone. Such a kind soul. This is Heartbreaking.”
Rest in Peace to a West Rowan Legend! Chris was a better person than he was player! The impact he had on those around him will be remembered forever! pic.twitter.com/9oVKyM4Gs2
— West Rowan Football (@WRowan_Football) April 18, 2023
Rest in paradise Chris Smith. Hometown hero and a brother to everyone. Such a kind soul. This is Heartbreaking
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) April 18, 2023
The Salisbury Post remembered Smith as the “ultimate give-back guy” who donated his time and money to local schools and projects.
Smith was a fifth-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 after a standout career at Arkansas. He played in three seasons with the Jaguars before he joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017.
After one season with the Bengals, he played two with the Browns and then with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 and the Houston Texans in 2021.
In 72 career NFL games, he had 80 tackles and 11 sacks.
He had signed a contract with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL and appeared in four games for them this year.
The New York Post noted that Smith’s girlfriend and mother of one of his three children was killed when she was struck by a passing car in 2019.
