Saints Player Will Smith: Photos Of The Late NFL Star

By:

April 10, 2016 11:56AM EDT

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Will Smith

Will Smith — The American football defensive end started to make a name for himself playing college football for Ohio State, and then finally got his big break when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2004. By 2005, he had a whopping 48 tackles and 8.5 sacks.

Sadly, his legendary career ended on April 9, 2016, when he was involved in a terrible traffic collision. He was driving his Mercedes SUV through the Lower Garden District of New Orleans when he rear-ended a Hummer (which was driven by 28-year-old Cardell Hayes at the time). Though, it wasn’t the car accident that ended the athlete’s life, but the confrontation that came right after it.

The drivers got into a fight, in which Hayes ultimately pulled out a handgun, killing Smith and injuring his wife at the scene.

Swipe through the gallery and take a look at pics of the late football star.

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Will Smith At Saints/Panthers Football Game

Will Smith At Saints/Panthers Football Game — Here, he is pictured in the second half of an intense game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C.

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Will Smith At Buccaneers/Saints Football Game

Will Smith At Buccaneers/Saints Football Game — On November 6, 2011, the Orleans Saints defensive end was all smiles while playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans.

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Will Smith At Redskins/Saints Football Game

Will Smith At Redskins/Saints Football Game — The athlete breaks a sweat in the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on September 9, 2012.

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Will Smith At Redskins/Saints Football Game

Will Smith At Redskins/Saints Football Game — The football star reacts in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

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