R.I.P. Murdered Ex-Saints Baller Will Smith’s Public Viewing Is Terribly Terribly Sad

A Public Viewing For Murdered Football Player Will Smith Held At Saints Practice Facility

The senseless murder of ex-New Orleans Saint’s defensive lineman has touched and saddened many in the NFL community and the city at-large. ESPN reports that Smith’s wife in addition to a large contingent of the Saints football family, past and present, were in attendance for a public viewing held at the team’s practice facility.

Hundreds of fans walked through displays of videos, photos and replica lockers filled with Smith’s gear from his days with the Saints, Ohio State Buckeyes and Proctor High School in Utica, New York.

Meanwhile, off to the side, a reunion sprang up in Smith’s honor, including players who spanned multiple eras of Saints football: Steve Gleason, Deuce McAllister, Aaron Brooks, Donte’ Stallworth, Charles Grant, Reggie Bush, Jonathan Vilma, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Darren Sproles, Jermon Bushrod, Jonathan Goodwin, Malcolm Jenkins, Roman Harper, Sedrick Ellis, Jabari Greer, Cameron Jordan and many others. Many more, including Saints quarterback Drew Brees, will be on hand Saturday for a private funeral ceremony.

Guard Jahri Evans sported a Will Smith No. 91 jersey, and players hugged and shared old memories with one another, as well as with Smith’s longtime coaches Sean Payton, Joe Vitt and Bill Johnson and general manager Mickey Loomis.

The Saints organization had a LOT of love for Will Smith. Way beyond football.

Also in attendance Friday were former Saints running back Pierre Thomas and former New Orleans police captain Billy Ceravolo, two of Smith’s close friends who were out with him Saturday night, before he was shot and killed following a traffic incident in New Orleans’ lower Garden District.

Thomas’ emotion was evident, as it was in a recent Instagram post in which he expressed outrage and disbelief over what he said he witnessed.

It’s still unclear if Thomas witnessed the dispute between Smith and shooter Cardell Hayes, which led to Smith’s being shot eight times and Racquel’s being shot twice in her legs. Thomas was on the scene shortly after the shooting occurred, and both he and Ceravolo will be central figures in the case against Hayes, who has been booked for second-degree murder and is currently being held on $1 million bond.

R.I.P. Will Smith. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to Will’s family, Saints family, and friends.

Flip the page to see more photos from the memorial.

Images via AP