The New Orleans community gathered at Saints facilities last Friday to honor the life of former team captain and Super Bowl champion Will Smith, who was tragically gunned down in an apparent road rage incident on April 9th.
On Wednesday, the Smith family placed a full-page letter in the New Orleans Times–Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate thanking everyone from nurses and doctors at University Medical Center to The Ohio State University for the outpouring of support shown to the family in this difficult time.
The full-page letter can be seen below, via the New Orleans Saints:
The text 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
