Former NFL player Will Smith killed in road rage shooting

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Longtime New Orleans Saints standout Will Smith, one of the most beloved players in recent franchise history, was shot and killed Saturday night. It happened when his car was hit buy another vehicle and the other driver reportedly shot Smith in what police are calling a road rage incident, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune's Katherine Terrell.

The coroner's office has confirmed Smith's death.

“We are devastated and saddened by Will’s tragic and preventable death due to a senseless act that will leave a lasting scar on our community forever,” Saints owner Tom Benson said in a statement. “Will was more than an exceptional football player he was a father, a husband, a son, a brother and teammate to so many and an inspiration to countless more. He will be greatly missed by all those he touched and impacted both on and off the football field and his legacy will continue to shine. The Saints family is hurting and devastated as it has lost a member too young and too soon.”

The incident occurred at 11:29 p.m. central time on Saturday in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. Smith, 34, was with his wife, Racquel, who was shot in the leg twice and wounded but not fatally. They were married in 2008 and had three children — two songs, and a daughter.

A senseless and tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith - his wife Racquel - his children William, Wynter and Lisa.
— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) April 10, 2016

Smith tweeted out a picture at 7:44 p.m.of him attending the French Quarter Fest, reportedly with former Saints teammate Pierre Thomas.

Having a blast at the #fqf2016 @ French Quarter Fest https://t.co/Er9HUDrNG7
— Will Smith (@iWillSmith) April 10, 2016

The Smith family issued this statement:

"On behalf of the Smith family, we are thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers. We ask that you continue to respect the family's privacy as they grieve the loss of a devoted husband, father and friend."

New Orleans police have announced that Cardell Hayes, the driver of the other vehicle and the alleged shooter in the incident, has been booked for second-degree murder. According to reports, there was an exchange of words between Smith and Hayes, 30, after a Hummer driven by Hayes hit Smith’s car from behind. Multiple shots were reported, including the fatal ones that killed Smith and the two that hit Smith's wife in her leg.

Smith spent the majority of his career with the Saints and his 67.5 sacks were fourth on the franchise's all-time list. He won a Super Bowl with the Saints but also found his way into controversy a few times. He was suspended four games by the league in 2012 for his involvement in the Bountygate incident, although that suspension later was overturned. But he also missed two games via suspension (down from the four initially issued) for testing positive for a banned diuretic via an over-the-counter weight loss product called StarCaps.

Although Smith signed with the New England Patriots in 2014, he never played a game with them.

Grief has outpoured from all over the NFL, but especially from a few of his former teammates.

Heavy Hearts w the senseless passing of our Team Capt. Will Smith. Pray for his wife's recovery and their children. pic.twitter.com/VomR0Sut6M
— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) April 10, 2016

Devastated. Lord please be with the Smith family at this tragic time. Nonsense man...
— Mark Ingram II (@MarkIngram22) April 10, 2016