Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith is making the difficult decision to play just five days after his girlfriend was killed.
Petara Cordero, Smith’s girlfriend and mother of his child, was killed on Sept. 11 after being struck by a car. Smith opted to make himself available for Monday night’s game against the New York Jets, stating that it’s what his girlfriend would have wanted him to do.
#Browns Chris Smith on deciding to play tonight vs #Jets: “I am going to play tonight because it is something, she would want me to do. She would want me to keep doing what I love and stay strong. I play for her tonight. She is my why.”
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 16, 2019
Everything about this is incredibly heartbreaking, but it’s a safe bet that Smith will be extra inspired in Monday’s game. The 27-year-old isn’t a regular starter, but has collected 8.5 NFL sacks over parts of five seasons.
