Cleveland's victory Monday in New York was so much more meaningful to Chris Smith.
The Browns defensive end opted to take the field against the Jets despite still grieving over the death of his girlfriend Petara Cordero, who died last Wednesday after being struck by a car, less than a month after she gave birth to the couple's daughter.
“To play tonight was for her,” Smith told reporters after the game, (via cleveland.com). “It was a hard week, but I knew this is what she'd want me to do.
“When they see me strong, it makes it a little easier, so I've got to stay strong for everybody, for her, (for) my daughter.”
Smith's emotions caught up to him, he said, after he claimed the day got off to a typical start.
“When I got out there, because she was at my last game, I kind of got out there and was like, 'Man, she's not watching,'” Smith said. “Spiritually she is, but physically she's not watching. It kind of got to me a little bit.”
But Smith thought of his daughter, Haven Harris Smith, as he pushed forward.
“Just do it for her, do it for her,” he said. “This is what she wants you doing, do it for her.”
Smith, 27, was driving with Cordero, 26, outside of Cleveland last week when a tire on his Lamborghini blew out, causing the vehicle to crash off the side of the road. Cordero got out of the vehicle, only to be hit by an oncoming car on the side of the road.
The driver of the other car admitted she had been drinking but hasn't been charged since toxicology reports still are pending.