Former New Orleans Saints Player Will Smith Shot Dead

Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot dead in New Orleans on Saturday night, following an apparent traffic altercation.

Smith, who was 34-years old, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith was shot after exchanging words with the driver of another vehicle, who rear-ended his vehicle, which caused him to run into a third vehicle, in the Lower Gsrden District.

The wife of Smith, Racquel, was shot multiple times in her right leg, and was taken to the hospital.

The shooter in the altercation has been taken into custody.

A native of Queens, New York, Smith, who was the 18th-overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft, played ten years for the Saints, from 2004-2013.

The 6-foot-3, 282-pound Smith played in 16 games as a rookie, starting 4, while making 30 tackles, including an impressive 7.5 sacks.

The 2005 season saw Smith get even more playing time, as he played in all 16 games once again, starting 9, while making 48 tackles, including 8.5 sacks.

In 2006, Smith continued his fine play, being named to the Pro Bowl for the first and only time is his successful career, after generating 10.5 sacks in 14 games, all as a starter.

Smith remained the starter at right defensive end over the next six seasons, averaging 40 tackles and 6 sacks, including the 2009 season, in which he got to the quarterback 13 times, a career-high, while helping the team win the Super Bowl.

In 2013, in the third preseason game of the year, Smith suffered a knee injury, which ultimately ended his fine career.

In 9 seasons in the NFL, all with the Saints, Smith played in 139 games, including 120 as a starter, accumulating 324 total tackles, including 57.5 sacks.