Will Smith

William Raymond Smith III (July 4, 1981 – April 9, 2016) was an American football defensive end in theNational Football League (NFL). He played college football for Ohio State and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft, where he played for the entirety of his career.

Personal

Smith was married to Racquel (née Joseph). They had two children together and he had another child from a previous relationship.

Death

On April 9, 2016, in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans, Smith was involved in a traffic collision in which another vehicle rammed his SUV, forcing Smith's vehicle into a vehicle in front of him. Smith was subsequently involved in a dispute with the driver, who became agitated, pulled out a handgun and shot into Smith's vehicle, killing him and wounding his wife, Racquel, in the leg. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene; his wife was taken to the hospital. The suspect was arrested, and the handgun was recovered.[15] After an investigation, NOPD charged the shooter, 28-year-old Cardell Hayes, with second degree murder in the case.