Former NFL player Chris Smith dies at age 31
Chris Smith, a former NFL player who suffered a personal tragedy while playing for the Cleveland Browns, has died. He was 31 years old. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Browns confirmed his death Tuesday. The cause of death was not immediately released. «Rest in peace Chris,» Rosenhaus wrote on Twitter. «Condolences to all your family, friends and loved ones. You will be missed.»
Played eight seasons in the NFL
Smith played this season for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He previously spent eight seasons in the NFL with Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Las Vegas and Houston. While Smith was with the Browns in 2019, his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, was struck and killed by a car after exiting the vehicle he was driving. Cordero was on the shoulder of the road when the car driven by a 47-year-old woman struck the passenger side of Smith’s car.
His colleagues, very sad
«Chris was one of the nicest players and people I’ve ever met,» said Browns star linebacker Myles Garrett. «He was willing to give you the shirt off his back. It’s hard to know that people like that can leave at any time.»
She had a daughter
Smith and Cordero had a daughter shortly before Cordero’s death. After playing at Arkansas, Smith was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. He finished with 11 sacks in 72 games.
«Heaven took a good one.»
Former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield also expressed his condolences for Smith. «To know him was to love him,» Mayfield posted on Twitter alongside a photo of Smith leading a group of Browns. «Heaven took a good one. We will never forget you and will always miss you. DEP Chris.»
