Chris Smith was a professional football player who played as a defensive end in the NFL for eight seasons, starting his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he was a Second-Team All-SEC selection in 2013.
Smith’s former high school football program, West Rowan in North Carolina, shared the news of his death on Twitter on April 17, 2023. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, also expressed his condolences, calling Smith a great person who would be missed. The cause of Smith’s death has not been announced yet. He was 31 years old.
Following the tragic passing of Chris Smith, people have become increasingly curious about his personal life, particularly his relationship with his girlfriend and the circumstances surrounding her untimely death. In this article, we will delve into the details of their relationship and the events leading up to her tragic passing.
Know About The Death Of Smith’s Girlfriend
Smith was in a relationship with Petara Cordero. Smith’s career in the NFL was cut short by a personal tragedy, the sudden loss of his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, in September 2019. The incident occurred when the couple was standing on a Cleveland highway after Smith’s Lamborghini had a tire malfunction and spun into the median. Cordero was struck by an oncoming vehicle and died instantly. Smith was driving at the time, and the event left him traumatized.
Smith and Cordero shared a daughter, Haven Harris Smith, who was only four months old at the time of her mother’s death. Smith also had two other children from previous relationships. He signed with the Carolina Panthers in March 2020, and after his release from the team, he became an ambassador for Emergency Safety Solutions, Inc. to advocate for a Hazard Enhanced Lighting Package (H.E.L.P.) to be implemented in all new passenger vehicles.
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Smith’s Grief After The Death Of His Girlfriend
Smith opened up about his grief in an interview with Sports Illustrated in 2020, where he spoke about how his teammates, particularly former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, supported him during this difficult time. Mayfield and his wife, Emily, expressed their condolences on Instagram after Smith’s death was confirmed. Smith revealed that he had nearly quit football but the support of his teammates “lifted him up.” Football helped him cope with his loss and gave him a sense of purpose.
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Smith also spoke about getting used to his “new normal” after Cordero’s death. He said that being around his teammates, family, and football helped him deal with his grief. He believed that things happened for a reason, and while he did not like the way events unfolded, he was a spiritual person and believed that God did not make mistakes. He referred to Cordero as one of God’s angels who had to be taken home.
In conclusion, Chris Smith was a talented football player whose career was overshadowed by a tragic event. The loss of his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, left him devastated, but the support of his teammates helped him cope with his grief. He was a father of three and an advocate for vehicle safety. He will be remembered as a great person whose impact on those around him will be remembered forever.