The 34-year old National Football League player’s death came as a shock to many, and the video showed the vast amount of well wishes to Smith and his family.
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Smith’s teammates Jo Lonn Dunbar, Cam Jordan and Deuce McAllister helped carry Smith’s coffin into the Saenger Theater in downtown New Orleans.
Outrage over violence has grown since former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot and killed a week ago during an altercation that stemmed from a minor traffic accident.
His visitation was Friday at the Saints’ practice facility in suburban Metairie (MET-uh-ree). He and his wife Racquel stayed in the area after he retired, and he remained active with various charities he’s supported in the community.The Super Bowl XLIV banner, which alphabetically lists each player on that team, singularly had Smith’s name in lights.
Here is a statement from Louisiana State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson to John Fuller, the attorney for Cardell Hayes, regarding Fuller’s assertion that the State Police or FBI should take over the investigation into the death of Will Smith. He played for the team during its tumultuous post-Katrina 2005 season when they traveled like nomads from stadium to stadium as the Superdome was repaired.The athlete’s casket was adorned with a giant bouquet of flowers, and enlarged photos of Smith in uniform throughout his career were displayed behind it. We all create our right and wrong’.
The grieving is expected to continue this evening where – in true New Orleans fashion – a second line parade of musicians and mourners will take place in the area he was killed.
Derick E. Hingle/USA Today Sports Will Smith’s casket.
Many more, including Saints quarterback Drew Brees, will be on hand Saturday for a private funeral ceremony.
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Smith was admired for his tenacity and grit on the field and for remaining in the area even after he left the team. Fuller issued a letter to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu on Friday asking that the NOPD be withdrawn from the investigation.
