Former NFL star Chris Smith passes away at the age of 31

Publish date: 2024-05-04

At the age of 31, Chris Smith, a defensive end who had an eight-year NFL career, has passed away.

Details about his cause of death have not been disclosed.

Smith graduated from West Rowan High School in 2010, where he was a standout defensive end, contributing to the West Rowan Falcons’ victory in the 2009 3A State Championship. Following high school, he was recruited to play for the University of Arkansas.

During his time with the Razorbacks, Smith started in games for all four years of college and received the honor of being selected second-team All-Southeastern Conference in his senior year in 2013.

Coming out of college, Smith was chosen in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He played for the Jaguars for three seasons, appearing in 19 games and achieving 4.5 sacks.

In 2017, Smith signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played in all 16 games and made three sacks.

In addition to his time with the Jaguars and Bengals, Smith also had stints with the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Houston Texans from 2018 to 2021. Although he signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, he only appeared on the practice squad.

During his brief tenure with the Panthers, Smith spoke with WCNC Charlotte about his return to his hometown area. He also discussed his efforts to advocate for hazard light safety, following the tragic death of his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, who was the mother of his child, in a car accident in September 2011.

Despite his NFL career concluding after the 2021 season, Smith’s involvement in football wasn’t over. In 2023, he signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL and played in five defensive games.

“Chris was a better person than he was a player! The impact he had on those around him will be remembered forever,” West Rowan shared on Twitter.

The cause of death was not provided.
 


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