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Former Buckeye shot and killed after road rage incident

Connor O'Gara

By Connor O'Gara

Published:

According to multiple media reports, former Ohio State defensive lineman Will Smith, 34, was shot to death late on Saturday night in New Orleans.

Smith was shot  following a three-car crash in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District. Reports indicated that Smith’s Mercedes was rear-ended by an H-2 Hummer, which caused him to rear-end the car of one of his friends. He reportedly exited his vehicle and argued with the driver of the Hummer around 11:30 p.m.

The driver then allegedly shot Smith and his vehicle several times. Smith’s wife was also wounded.

The driver and another person were reportedly apprehended.

Smith, who played in Columbus from 2000-03, helped the Buckeyes win a national title in 2003. He was drafted No. 18 overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2004, where he played from 2004-13 and won a Super Bowl. Smith last played in the NFL with the Saints in 2013.

Smith is survived by his wife and three kids.

Former Buckeyes and NFL players were shocked to hear the news early on Sunday morning:

https://twitter.com/DLeeMG8/status/719052911901282304

https://twitter.com/DLeeMG8/status/719053100863090689

https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/719053672496435200

Connor O'Gara

Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.