NFL star Chris Smith shares beautiful post after girlfriend's tragic death: 'She's in a better place now'
Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Chris Smith shared a beautiful message on his Instagram, in memory of his girlfriend Petara Cordero, who was killed in a tragic car accident on Wednesday, September 11. The player broke his silence when he posted a series of pictures and videos of his girlfriend on his social media page.
He wrote, “God has a plan for all of us we can’t understand but she is in a better place now and she can rest easy. My wifey my best friend and the mother of my beautiful daughter. Love you, baby,” on his post on Friday, September 13. The touching tribute was accompanied by the hashtag “stay strong”, referencing to a tattoo which Cordero had inked on her chest. The player later put up a story where he revealed that he had gotten the same tattoo along with several of their loved ones in memory of Cordero.
The couple was driving in Smith’s Lamborghini, on Cleveland highway, when a tire blew out causing the vehicle to swerve and hit a median on I-90 West in Cleveland, as reported by People. Cordero got out of the car and was standing on the shoulder of the highway when she was struck down by a woman driving a Mazda. The woman driving the vehicle was reportedly drunk, and a toxicology report is pending. Cordero was immediately rushed to the nearby Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. "This matter remains under investigation and no charges have been filed of this time," revealed Cleveland police Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia to NBC News.
The couple had just announced the birth of their daughter, Haven Harris Smith in August before the tragic accident occurred. The whole Cleveland Browns team has come forward to extend their support to the 27-year-old player, during this difficult time. Freddie Kitchens, the head coach of the team, said that the whole team was “going to support Chris”. “This goes beyond football. This was a 26-year-old young lady at the highlight of her life. Not to get too personal about it … Chris is a good dude. She was a good girl. We just want to support him in any way we can,” Kitchens shared at a press conference on Thursday, September 12.
Cleveland Browns owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, released a statement on the team website saying, “Words cannot describe the sorrow we feel for Chris following the loss of his girlfriend, Petara. Our entire organization mourns with Chris, his family, and the Cordero family. We will do everything possible to offer them our support, comfort and any resources in this most difficult time."