BALTIMORE (AP) — Wide receiver Torrey Smith scored a touchdown for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, less than 24 hours after his younger brother was killed in a motorcycle accident.
Tevin Chris Jones, 19, died late Saturday night in Westmoreland County in northeast Virginia. He was riding his motorcycle on Route 672 when he ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a utility pole, according to Virginia State Police.
Smith was notified at the team hotel in Baltimore shortly after 1 a.m. and immediately left to be with his family. Smith was told by Ravens coach John Harbaugh that the decision to play Sunday night against the New England Patriots would be entirely up to him.
Smith returned to the Ravens late Sunday afternoon, participated in warm-up drills and started the game. In the second quarter, he caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to cut New England's lead to 13-7.
Before the game, a moment of silence was observed for Jones, whose picture was placed on the replay screens at the stadium. The Ravens also asked the fans to observe a moment of silence for former NFL Films president Steve Sabol.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He was wearing a helmet, and alcohol was not a factor. The accident is under investigation.
Early Sunday, Smith posted on his Twitter account: "I can't believe my little brother is gone...be thankful for your loved ones and tell them you love them...this is the hardest thing ever."
Harbaugh said in a statement: "This is devastatingly sad, sad news. Torrey and his family are a close, special family, and our hearts and thoughts reach out to all of them. Our hearts ache today. We pray for Tevin, his mother, Torrey and the rest of the family."
Smith is the oldest of seven children of Monica Chante Jenkins. Smith grew up in Virginia before attending the University of Maryland.
He was Baltimore second-round pick in the 2011 draft. In his rookie season, Smith had 50 catches for 841 yards and seven touchdowns.