Car crash on major highway during rainfall at night. Ambulance in foreground and police car in background.
Smith’s death was confirmed by his former high school, West Rowan, located in North Carolina.
The school wrote on Twitter, “Rest in peace to a West Rowan legend! Chris was a better person than he was an athlete!
“His influence on people around him will be remembered forever!”
Smith, a defensive end, has previously appeared for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Baltimore Ravens. He joined the Sea Dragons in March of this year.
The footballer’s cause of death has not yet been determined.
Tributes began flooding in as word of his death spread.
Malcolm Gaither, Smith’s high school football teammate, called it a “honor” to go to war with him.
Cleveland Browns Tight End David Njoku stated, “Rest in paradise, Chris Smith.
Former NFL great Roy Miller III wrote: “My brother, I was just thinking how happy I was of you pursuing your aspirations in the XFL. You made an entire room laugh when you laughed, and you always found a way to make any situation positive. RIH Smitty.”
Smith’s death came nearly four years after his girlfriend, 26-year-old Petara Cordero, was killed.
In September 2019, she was hit by a car as she exited the football player’s Lamborghini.
Smith and his girlfriend were forced to pull over to the side of the road when a tire on his automobile exploded.
Medics were dispatched to the scene, however Petara died after being transported to the hospital.
Petara was assassinated only a month after announcing the birth of their daughter.
Days after Petara died, Smith wrote, “God has a plan for all of us that we don’t understand, but she’s in a better place now and can rest peacefully.”
“My wife, greatest friend, and mother of my lovely kid. “Love you, baby.”
