NFL teams
Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Will Smith's wife accepts late husband's Saints Hall of Fame honor

NFL, New Orleans Saints

KENNER, La. -- Speaking publicly for the first time since her husband, Will Smith, was shot and killed on April 9, Racquel Smith gave an emotional and powerful speech Friday at his New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Racquel was also shot twice in the legs on the night her husband was killed after a heated argument that followed a traffic incident.

"On April 9, my worst fear came true when my husband was taken from me. I crumbled to my knees, literally. I knew it was only by God's grace that I survived that night," said Racquel, who described the aftermath as "unimaginable." "I had to learn to walk again. I had severe nerve damage in my left leg and broke my femur bone. There were days when I couldn't get out of bed nor did I want to get out of bed. But I knew I had to be strong for my three beautiful kids. And that's when I felt Will the most," Racquel said.

"His strength, his determination, his commitment to being the best. Failure was never an option for my husband. ... Through my darkest days of my life, Will gave me so much. He instilled so much in me and he showed me how to be strong. And he always told me, 'Rocky, you can do this.' "Will, you will always be a part of me. And you always told me to shine my light for the world to see. Well here I am. I'm shining my light on your behalf. ... But we're here. You made it. You made it to the Saints Hall of Fame in your first year of eligibility. I know you are wearing that black and gold No. 91 in heaven. We celebrate you today and always. I love you Will. Congratulations baby. You did it again, and I'm so proud of you."

Smith, a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl-winning defensive end who ranks fourth in Saints history with 67.5 career sacks, was unanimously elected into the Saints Hall of Fame by a media panel in his first year of eligibility -- weeks before his death. Racquel, who was flanked by their three children, William, Lisa and Wynter, said Will was so excited and proud when he got the call and "the honor meant the world to him." She said in the past, she was always the one who would stand smiling behind Will at similar events but "terrified to speak" in front of crowds.

"But today, I am definitely his voice," Racquel said. "And I'm nervous. But for him, I would do anything."

Racquel did not speak to the media after the ceremony or address any details of the shooting. The trial of Cardell Hayes, who is accused of shooting Smith, is scheduled for later this year. Longtime New Orleans Saints linebackers coach and assistant head coach Joe Vitt also spoke during the ceremony Friday, stressing how much Smith loved football, loved competition, loved his teammates and put the needs of his team before himself.

"And the only thing he loved more than that is his precious family, and that's the truth," Vitt said.

Friday's luncheon was emotional from start to finish. This year's two inductees both passed away earlier this year. Former Saints fullback/scout/color analyst Hokie Gajan, who died of cancer in , received the Joe Gemellis Fleur De Lis Award as a contributor.

"I have never known anyone who was truer to himself than Hokie Gajan -- in word, deed or wardrobe," said Gajan's longtime broadcast partner Jim Henderson, who was choked up as he presented him. "If he was your friend, you couldn't have had a truer one. If he was your teammate, you couldn't have had a tougher one."

^ Back to Top ^