Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s father, Sonny, died early Saturday morning from problems from hip surgical procedure after falling in New Orleans earlier than the Sugar Bowl, the varsity introduced.
Sonny Smart, a longtime highschool soccer coach at Alabama and Georgia, fell whereas strolling on New Year’s Eve and fractured his hip. He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgical procedure at Ochsner Medical Center, the place he died surrounded by his household, Georgia mentioned in an announcement that didn’t present his age.
The Smart household was in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, which was postponed a day as a result of a person rammed a pickup truck right into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers within the French Quarter, killing 14 individuals and injuring about 30.
Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs misplaced to Notre Dame, 23-10, within the sport, a College Football Playoff semifinal, on Thursday.
Sonny Smart did not make it to the nationwide title sport in 2023 as Georgia beat TCU, 65-7, to repeat as nationwide champions because of well being points. Before they occurred, he had been a daily at his son’s video games since Kirby grew to become head coach at his alma mater in 2016.
Sonny Smart, who coached Kirby when he was in highschool, leaves behind his spouse, Sharon, and their three youngsters, Karl, Kirby and Kendall.
The Smart household mentioned in an announcement launched from Georgia that it “expresses its honest gratitude to the Ochsner Hospital and medical workers for the distinctive care offered to Sonny.”
“Furthermore, they ask to your continued prayers for these affected by the tragic occasions that occurred within the early hours of New Year’s Day,” the assertion learn. “The Smart household treasures everybody’s ideas and prayers and now prays for God’s consolation, power and steering.”
Associated Press reporting.
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