The world of football has paid tribute to the father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart after he passed away following a fall.
Smart’s father, Sonny, fell and broke his hip on New Year’s Eve. The 76-year-old was in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl and later passed away from surgery complications, according to Georgia.
Smart Sr. died on Saturday morning while surrounded by his family and his passing prompted an outpouring of grief from across sports and Georgia.
‘Awful news this morning hearing about the passing of Sonny Smart . I’ve known Kirby for 25 years and always enjoyed my interactions with his dad,’ USC 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 -God Bless them all.’
Kirby Smart’s father, Sonny (right), died after suffering complications from hip surgery
Smart, his siblings and his mother were at Sonny’s side when he died early Saturday morning
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey (right) was among those to pay tribute to Smart
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey also paid tribute to Smart with a statement on X. ‘Sonny Smart touched many people in his life and we are saddened to learn of his passing,’ he wrote.
‘I had the privilege to visit with Sonny many times and enjoyed every conversation. Our sympathies go out to Kirby Smart and his family and to all who knew his dad.’
Smart Sr.’s impact on Georgia football was illustrated by the words of the state’s governor, Brian P. Kemp, who said his family were ‘heartbroken’ by the loss.
Kemp called him ‘an incredible father and husband and a great coach in his own right,’ adding: ‘Sonny embodied the values and strength that we should all wish to have.’
According to AL.com, Sonny was a native of Columbia, Alabama, and a high school football coach in Georgia.
He reportedly posted an overall record of 90-78-1 while coaching at Bainbridge High and Rabun County High. Before that, he coached at Alabama’s Holtville High School and played college football at Samford University, per ESPN.
‘Samford Football extends its heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Smart family on the passing of Sonny Smart,’ a statement said.
‘Sonny played center for the Bulldogs and was a proud alumnus of our university.’
His death is unrelated to the terror attack that took place in New Orleans in the early hours of January 1, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar rammed his truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street and killed 14 people.