Browns DE Chris Smith Plans to Play Against Jets on Monday in Honor of Late Girlfriend
By Parker White
Last week, the girlfriend of Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith, Petara Cordero, tragically passed away in a car accident. You would certainly understand if Smith decided to sit out Monday's game to mourn her shocking loss.
Instead, Smith is suiting up against the Jets.
#Browns Chris Smith on deciding to play tonight vs #Jets: “I am going to play tonight because it is something, she would want me to do. She would want me to keep doing what I love and stay strong. I play for her tonight. She is my why.”
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 16, 2019
"I am going to play tonight because it is something she would want me to do," Smith said of Cordero. "She would want me to keep doing what I love and stay strong. I play for her tonight. She is my why."
#Browns’ Chris Smith says he’ll play Monday to honor girlfriend who died last week in tragic accident https://t.co/nVl7XO4fkH
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) September 16, 2019
The incident happened in the early morning on Wednesday when a car hit Smith Cordero's vehicle on I-90 near Cleveland's West 140th Street exit. The two pulled over to the side of the road after a tire blew out, but sadly, a car struck her on the north shoulder of the highway.
To make this story even more of a tearjerker, Smith and Cordero had a daughter together, Haven, who was born last month.
Instead of sitting out of this game, Smith is going to play some inspired football on MNF. You don't have to be a Browns fan to pull for this guy.