Former Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith dies at age 31

Former Browns defensive end Chris Smith has died at age 31.

Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and his former high school football program, West Rowan (North Carolina), were among the first to tweet out his death late Monday evening. No cause of death has been given.

"Rest in Peace Chris," Rosenhaus' tweet said. "Condolences to all his family, friends and loved ones. We will miss you."

Myles Garrett shared a position-group room with Smith during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He acknowledged the shock that he woke up to learning of his former teammate's death.

"Actually, like, disbelief," Garrett said Tuesday. "It was, I mean, shock. I was sad. I mean, it wasn't anything I was expecting waking up to. I know a couple of people called and texted me and it was just so surprising. Chris was one of the kindest players and people that I I've ever met. He was willing to give his shirt off his back for you. He was always a great energy and just person to be around in the facility, outside of the facility. It's just so hard knowing that people like that can just go at any time. You talk to him, you know, yesterday or today and the next day he's gone."

An eight-year NFL veteran who was playing with the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons this year, Smith played in 25 games for the Browns in 2018-19. His former Cleveland teammate, tight end David Njoku, also was among the many whose tributes and condolences came rolling as word got out about Smith's death.

"Rest in paradise Chris Smith," Njoku tweeted. "Hometown hero and a brother to everyone. Such a kind soul. This is Heartbreaking."

Smith's time in Cleveland was marred by the tragic death of his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, in a accident on Sept. 11, 2019. Smith and Cordero had a daughter, Haven Harris Smith, who was four months old at the time of her mother's death.

Cordero was struck by another car while they were standing on the north shoulder of I-90 West near the West 140th Street exit. Smith told police at the time the tire on his car blew out, which is why the couple was standing to the side of the road.

Smith's Browns teammates helped him get through the tragedy.

“I’m doing good. I’m better than I was,” Smith told the Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich in November of that year. “I’ve gotten used to the new normal. I think that’s from being around my teammates, my family. Football’s helped me so much.

“Me as a spiritual person, things happen for a reason. You don’t like the way they happen, but God doesn’t make any mistakes. She’s one of God’s angels. He had to take her home.”

The Salisbury, North Carolina, native was released by the Browns on Dec. 3, 2019. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, playing in eight games. He concluded his NFL career in 2021 by playing in four games for the Houston Texans.

A fifth-round pick, No. 159 overall, in 2014 of the Jacksonville Jaguars out of the University of Arkansas, Smith spent his first three seasons with the Jaguars. He was traded in 2107 to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent one season before signing with the Browns on March 14, 2018.

Smith played in 72 career NFL games, recording 54 solo tackles and 11 sacks.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Browns defensive end Chris Smith dies at age 31