Will Smith, a former New Orleans Saint, Pro-Bowl defensive end, Super Bowl champion, husband and father, was shot and killed late Saturday night in a senseless roadside encounter. His wife, shot in the leg, survived.
The tragic death of the former football player — not yet 35 — sent shockwaves through New Orleans and the nation. Some went to bed with the story on their hearts, updates still trickling in; others awoke to the atrocious reality of it all: a car collision in New Orleans' Lower Garden District leading to the loss of a life.
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The news, for some, is still breaking, fresh for each person who wakes up this Sunday morning. Some former Saints teammates of Smith left social-media imprints mere hours and minutes before his death. Yet to react, they may not yet know.
But for those who saw the news, the grief in their posts was palpable. Saints past and present, in real time, are starting to remember and lament the loss of a team captain, a friend, a father — a player, nay, a human gone too soon.
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) April 10, 2016
Life is too short
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) April 10, 2016
Sick to my stomach! This one hurts
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) April 10, 2016
Heavy Hearts w the senseless passing of our Team Capt. Will Smith. Pray for his wife's recovery and their children. pic.twitter.com/VomR0Sut6M
— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) April 10, 2016
these senseless killings in our city MUST STOP- let's all rally now in earnest in Will Smith's honor & in his name to do something tangible
— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) April 10, 2016
The Benson's and the Saints have always been a safety net in our city to help, support and bail out- we will do our part in Will's name. #91
— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) April 10, 2016
I can't even comprehend what happened last night. The entire football world is hurting today...RIP Will Smith.
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 10, 2016
A senseless and tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith - his wife Racquel - his children William, Wynter and Lisa.
— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) April 10, 2016
Were praying for the Smith family. I'm hurt to hear about this news. This man had a beautiful family. His life taken away for nothing 😔
— Jermon Bushrod (@j_bushrod7475) April 10, 2016
A man loses his life over a collision? A wife becomes a widow over a argument? 3 children lose their Daddy over NOTHING!
— Mike McGlynn (@Greezy_75) April 10, 2016
No one should have to go out like that. Senseless dumbass violence has to stop. You work hard and help the community and go out like this?
— Jermon Bushrod (@j_bushrod7475) April 10, 2016
Damn man! Really gonna take @iwillsmith life like that?! Wtf is wrong w/ ppl today?! My boy, my close friend, he had KIDS!!!
— Tracy Porter (@__TPorter__) April 10, 2016
This shit ain't right...at all!
— Tracy Porter (@__TPorter__) April 10, 2016
Such a senseless act. A GREAT man was lost. Feel sick right now. Heart goes out to Smith family and Saints family https://t.co/fLTFj3nD4n
— Scott Shanle (@scottshanle) April 10, 2016
Thoughts and prayers go out to my friend and #teammate #rip @NFL https://t.co/jkiKBY2Ohc
— Dhani Jones (@DhaniJones) April 10, 2016
Rest in heaven brother!
— Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16) April 10, 2016
Damn... Rip Will Smith.... #FormerSaint 💯
— Tavaris Barnes (@BarnesTavarib) April 10, 2016
Statement from Tom & Gayle Benson, and the #Saints organization: pic.twitter.com/HDCyfhTRJC
— Christopher Dabe (@cmdabe) April 10, 2016
Statement from Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis: pic.twitter.com/dbckcU98Lb
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 10, 2016
And former Ohio State teammates, too, reacted to the tragic news — including Beanie Wells.
Awful news smh. #RIPWILLSMITH former buckeye Great. One of the coolest and smoothest dudes I've ever met.
— Beanie Wells (@BeanieWells26) April 10, 2016
I still can't believe this. Unreal. Please pray for Will's family. https://t.co/g9nNv50eCp
— Dustin Fox (@DustinFox37) April 10, 2016
The barrage of heartbreak, disbelief and incredulity remains raw and hard to read, a reality of our time — when we witness remembrance in real time, with wounds still fresh.