National Football League

Slaying of former Saints player resonates in city he loved

Published Apr. 12, 2016 4:59 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) People across Louisiana are trying to process the news that former Saints defensive end Will Smith was fatally shot in the back Saturday night in what police called a deadly act of road rage.

Smith arrived in New Orleans in 2004 as a No. 1 draft pick and played with such passion and power that he quickly became a defensive captain. Off the field, the 34-year-old won hearts in his adopted city.

Police say former semi-pro football player Cardell Hayes rear-ended Smith's Mercedes G63 with his Humvee H2 before he opened fire.

A defense attorney for Hayes, John Fuller, says there's more to the story. He says Hayes himself had been rear-ended moments earlier by a hit-and-run driver, and called 911 to describe the car he was following before he ran into Smith's Mercedes.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League