Chris Smith, who played in the NFL for eight seasons, has died, according to his West Rowan High School in North Carolina. He was 31. As of now there is no mention of a cause of death.
West Rowan’s football account took to Twitter on Monday and wrote, “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!”
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
The tragic news of his demise was confirmed by Salisbury Post. From 2014 to 21, Smith was a member of the Jaguars, Bengals, Browns, Raiders, and Texans. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Jaguars out of Arkansas, where he was Second-Team All-SEC in 2013.
He made five tackles in four games with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons earlier this year. Petara Cordero, Smith’s girlfriend and the mother of one of his three children, was killed in 2019 after being hit by a passing car while exiting his vehicle.
Our deepest condolences with the family and loved-ones of Chris Smith. May his departed soul rest in peace!