Former Browns DL Chris Smith Who Lost Girlfriend in Car Crash Signs With Panthers
Chris Smith was in the midst of the 2019 season with the Cleveland Browns when he suffered a personal tragedy. His girlfriend was hit and killed by a car after Smith's car broke down on the side of the road.
Despite that unthinkable occurrence, he's now back on his feet. After being released by the Browns near the end of the season, Smith has reportedly signed a deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Former Browns’ DL Chris Smith is signing a 1-year deal with his hometown team, the Panthers, per source. Good for him. Smith's girlfriend and the mother of one of his children was killed in September after being struck by a passing car after exiting Smith's car.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2020
The defensive lineman is from North Carolina and gets to return home to continue his NFL career. Smith is a 2014 fifth-round draft pick and the Panthers will be his fourth team since joining the league.
BREAKING: per Adam Schefter, the Panthers have signed DE Chris Smith. Played in Cleveland the last two seasons.
— John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) March 5, 2020
Good, versatile fit for what Phil Snow wants to do. His strip sack on Matt Ryan sealed Cleveland’s win over Atlanta in 2018. pic.twitter.com/RM02rBpRvT
This isn't the only move Carolina made on Wednesday, either. They traded guard Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for tackle Russell Okung.
Hopefully the 28-year-old Smith can carve out a role for himself on a Panthers team that's shifting directions in a big way.