‘Rest in peace’: Eight-year NFL defensive end Chris Smith dead at 31

An eight-year defensive end has died at the age of 31, as revealed in a post which has left the NFL world heartbroken.

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 14: Chris Smith #98 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to a pre-season game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 14, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Konstantaras/Getty Images)

Chris Smith, a defensive end who spent eight seasons in the NFL, has died, according to his West Rowan High School in North Carolina.

He was 31.

No cause of death was announced, The New York Post reported.

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“Rest in Peace to a West Rowan legend!” West Rowan High School’s football account tweeted Monday. “Chris was a better person than he was player! The impact he had on those around him will be remembered forever!”

Rest in Peace to a West Rowan Legend! Chris was a better person than he was player! The impact he had on those around him will be remembered forever! pic.twitter.com/9oVKyM4Gs2

— West Rowan Football (@WRowan_Football) April 18, 2023

His death was confirmed by the Salisbury Post.

Smith played with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans between 2014 and 2021.

He had been drafted by the Jaguars in the fifth round out of Arkansas, where he was Second-Team All-SEC in 2013.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku wrote: “Rest in paradise Chris Smith. Hometown hero and a brother to everyone. Such a kind soul. This is Heartbreaking.”

The Athletic’s Vic Tafur posted: “Chris Smith only played eight games for the Raiders (2020) but made an impression. Great dude who overcome adversity and had a very positive spirit. He was 31. RIP.”

Chris Smith has measurements taken during the 2014 NFL Combine. Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Emmy award-winning reporter David Whisenant commented: "Very sad news. Former NFL, @WestRowanFB star Chris Smith has died at age 31.”

Charlotte Observer’s Carolina Panthers reporter Mike Kaye wrote: “Chris Smith had a smile that could light up any room he was in. This is heartbreaking. Thinking of his family, especially his children.”

He played in four games with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons, making five tackles earlier this year.

In 2019, Petara Cordero, Smith’s girlfriend and the mother of one of his three children, was killed when she was struck by a passing car after exiting his vehicle.

This story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.

Originally published as ‘Rest in peace’: Eight-year NFL defensive end Chris Smith dead at 31