Will Smith's family paid a touching tribute to his fans and the Saints with a full-page advertisement in the New Orleans Times-Picayune and the New Orleans Advocate on Wednesday.
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After Smith was murdered in early April, fans and the Saints organization were on hand to offer kind words and support, especially during Smith's visitation earlier this week.
Will Smith’s family has posted a full page thank you note in The Times-Picayune and The Advocate today pic.twitter.com/aiPb6uFnpZ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 20, 2016
The full ad reads:
This past week has been unimaginable for our family but we have gotten through using our memories of Will, our love for each other, and help from the people of New Orleans. The non-stop outpouring of support, prayers, and well-wishes from our neighbors and friends, and Saints fans from across Louisiana, the United States and the world has been overflowing. When we remember Will, we will smile thinking of all the lives he has positively impacted both not only here at home, but across the globe.
Special thanks to the entire New Orleans Saints organization, the Benson family, Head Coach Sean Payton, Fred McAgree, Deuce McAllister, the doctors and nurses at University Medical Center, the National Football League, the NFL Players Association, Proctor High School and everyone in Will’s beloved Utica, New York, The Ohio State University and the city of Columbus, the Cajun Buckeyes, every single person who sent flowers, food, a card, their love, and all the many fans that came through both the visitation and the second line.
We are so thankful you loved Will as much as we did.
The Smith Family
Smith was gunned down in New Orleans after he got into a traffic altercation. The alleged shooter, Cardell Hayes, also reportedly shot Smith's wife, Racquel, twice in the legs.
According to Hayes' lawyer, Smith was the aggressor, not his client.