Former NFL player and West Rowan football star Chris Smith dies at 31.

Former NFL player and West Rowan football star Chris Smith has passed away at the age of 31. Smith was involved in a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 23rd, 2020. The accident occurred when a vehicle driven by a woman struck Smith's car on the shoulder of the highway. Smith's girlfriend, who was also in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Smith suffered non-life-threatening injuries.




Smith was a standout football player at West Rowan High School in Salisbury, North Carolina, where he played both offense and defense. He went on to play college football at the University of Arkansas, where he was a standout defensive end. In 2014, Smith was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Jaguars before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017. Smith also had brief stints with the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.




Smith's former coaches and teammates have expressed their condolences on social media, praising him for his talent and character. West Rowan High School football coach Joe Nixon said in a statement, "Chris was an outstanding football player, but even more importantly, he was an outstanding young man. He was a great teammate and a great leader. He will be missed by everyone who knew him."




Smith's death is a tragic loss for the football community, and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.