Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sports

Father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart dies after fall in New Orleans

The father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart died Saturday following complications from hip surgery, the school announced.

Sonny Smart was 76 and had surgery after a fall in New Orleans before Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

‘Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip,’ the school said in a statement. ‘He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.’

Sonny Smart was a longtime high school football coach in Alabama and in Georgia at Bainbridge High School, where his son Kirby Smart played for him, and later at Rabun County High.

Saturday coaches and officials, including SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, shared their condolences with Smart’s family.

‘I’ve known Kirby for 25 years and always enjoyed my interactions with his dad. He was a BALL COACH thru and thru -And a competitor,’ South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer wrote on social media. ‘I’m still recovering from the beat down Coach Smart & my dad gave Kirby and I on the golf course in a “friendly” July 4 Father-Son match years ago My heart hurts for the Smart family and we’re sending prayers to all of them.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

    You May Also Like

    Sports

    LOS ANGELES — As if there needed to be any more evidence of how women’s sports continue to grow, it was a raucous crowd...

    Sports

    The Kentucky Derby celebrates a major milestone in 2024, as this year’s race marks the 150th running of the traditional ‘Run for the Roses.’...

    Sports

    Aaron Rodgers was scared at the possible severity of his injury when he tore his Achilles on the New York Jets’ first offensive drive...

    Sports

    The Kansas City Current have fired Carlos Jimenez, the head of its medical staff, for violating the NWSL’s non-fraternization policy. The news was first...