In the hours surrounding his death, a post appeared on Smith's personal Facebook account detailing his struggles with mental health. The message expressed regret for his actions, referenced childhood trauma, and included an apology to his children and those he felt he had disappointed. The statement highlighted a long-standing battle with internal struggles and a perceived lack of support, concluding with a plea for peace.
A collegiate standout and professional career
Smith’s football journey began in his hometown of Pahokee, Florida, where he excelled as a two-way player, contributing to a state championship victory as a quarterback and defensive back in 2003. His talent earned him a spot at Wake Forest, where he redshirted his freshman year before becoming a cornerstone of the program. His collegiate performance was marked by significant accolades, including a third-team All-America selection in 2007 and a first-team Associated Press All-America honor in 2008.
Following his successful tenure at Wake Forest, Smith was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. During his rookie season, he appeared in 15 games, contributing on special teams as a punt and kickoff returner. In 2010, he was traded to the
Life after the NFL
After concluding his professional playing career, which spanned 44 games over four seasons, Smith remained connected to the sport. In 2013, he served as a sideline reporter for
