Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith played in the first game since the sudden death of his girlfriend, helping his team win against the New York Jets.
Smith, 27, showed reporters after the Sept. 16 game a new tattoo he got on the inside of his forearm that says “stay strong.”
His girlfriend, Petara Cordero, had the same tattoo on her chest.
“I just got to stay strong for everybody else. That’s the main thing. When they see me strong, it makes it a little easier. I’ve got to stay strong for everybody, for her, my daughter.”
Cordero, 26, was a passenger in Smith’s car when he hit the median early Sept. 11 after a tire blew out. She did not suffer serious injuries, but after exiting the car, she was hit by a female driver who police said admitted to driving under the influence.
Smith said the situation was tough but he asked team leaders, including owner Jimmy Haslam, on Friday if he could play in the game.
“When that first happened, I felt like I was ready to give up, throw in the towel, retire and stuff. I had to just think about my daughter and she would have wanted me to play. Freddie doesn’t realize it, but he said in a team meeting, when we go off emotion we make wrong decisions,” he told reporters.
“We have to go off our passion. I have to play for her. She’s my why. My daughter is my why, my other two kids are too. For my youngest, I’ve got to be mom and dad. She’s in a better place now. For the rest of my life, I’m going to fight for her.”
Cordero had given birth to the couple’s child just weeks before the death.
On Instagram Story, he added that he got the words “stay strong” tattooed on himself along with several other loved ones.
Smith announced just hours before the game that he would be playing in honor of Cordero.
“I am going to play tonight because it is something she would want me to do. She would want me to keep doing what I love and stay strong. I play for her tonight. She is my why,” Smith said in a statement. Head coach Freddie Kitchens checked in with him on Sunday, two days after he requested permission to play, and confirmed that stance.
A spokesperson for Smith said on Monday that both the Cordero and Smith families wanted to thank supporters “for their thoughtful prayers, condolences, and well wishes.”
“From the bottom of their hearts they are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support,” the statement continued.
“At this time, they ask for complete privacy as both families take the time needed to grieve the sudden and unexpected loss of their beloved Petara Cordero.”
