Former NFL player Chris Smith, who played for teams such as the Cleveland Browns, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Houston Texans, passed away on 17th April, 2023, at the age of 31. The cause of his death is not yet known. Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Browns confirmed his passing on Tuesday.
He was born on February 11, 1992, and attended West Rowan High School in North Carolina, where he was a talented player with 98 tackles and 16.5 sacks in his senior year. He was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters) tall and weighed 266 pounds (121 kilograms).
He attended West Rowan High School in Mount Ulla, North Carolina, before going on to study at the University of Arkansas from 2010 to 2013. He was then selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 5th round, with the 159th overall pick, in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Smith began his NFL career in 2014 when he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a defensive lineman. He spent three seasons with the Jaguars before moving on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns.
While Chris Smith played for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, tragically lost her life in a car accident. Cordero had just exited the vehicle that Smith was driving and was struck by another car while standing on the road’s shoulder. The collision occurred on the passenger side of Smith’s car and resulted in Cordero’s death. The couple had recently become parents to a daughter before the tragic incident.
After Cordero’s death, Smith became a brand ambassador for Emergency Safety Solutions to raise awareness about car safety and prevent accidents like the one that took his girlfriend’s life. Smith said in a 2020 interview that he wanted to ensure that nobody went through what he had experienced. Smith’s death comes four years after his girlfriend’s.
On social media, tributes poured in for the former player, with the Browns tweeting, “Chris was one of the kindest people, teammates, and friends we’ve had in our organization.” Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett said of Smith, “Chris was one of the kindest players and people that I’ve ever met. He was willing to give you the shirt off his back for you. It’s hard just knowing people like that can go at any time.”
Chris Smith Net worth
Smith’s net worth was estimated to be around $6-8 million in recent years, according to The Squanderer. He earned his fortune through his NFL contracts, which included deals with teams such as the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders. In his first contract with the Jaguars, he earned up to $2.4 million on a deal that ran from 2014 to 2017. After the 2017 season, he went to the Cleveland Browns, where he earned a massive upgrade.
In his second deal, he earned up to $12 million over three years with $4.5 million guaranteed. In 2020, he ended up on a contract with the Carolina Panthers for a fraction of the value, earning up to $1.495 million for the year. But before the year was over, he found himself on another deal, this one with the Las Vegas Raiders. The contract was worth $910,000 and lasted until the end of the season. Later on in 2021, he got a deal with the Houston Texans, earning $42,000. Both contracts secured in 2021 were practice squad contracts. As of 2022, he became a free agent.
Before Smith joined the NFL, he was a hometown hero and star of his North Carolina high school football team. Despite Smith’s success on the field, his personal life was marred by tragedy, with the loss of his girlfriend, Cordero, in a car accident. Smith leaves behind a daughter and many people who knew him and admired him for his kindness and talent on and off the field.
How did Chris Smith die?
The untimely death of Chris Smith, a former NFL defensive end who played for teams like Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens, has left many people in shock. He was found dead on April 17, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the young age of 31. While the reason behind his death has not been revealed yet, there have been speculations that he might have committed suicide or been murdered.
Rumours have been circulating that Smith was going through a tough time after losing his girlfriend, with whom he shared a daughter, in 2019. It was said that the impact of the loss had affected him severely, leading to depression and anxiety. However, no official statement has been released regarding his mental health before his death.
Smith had an impressive football career, playing 19 games with Jaguars and making 4.5 sacks. He also contributed to local school and college projects. He recently played for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL in March 2023.
The news of Smith’s death has received an outpouring of tributes and charitable donations in his support. However, the investigation into the cause of his death is still ongoing, and more details are yet to be revealed.
