In incredibly tragic news to strike as the New Year just started to get going, it was announced on Saturday, January 4 that Sonny Smart, the father of UGA head football coach Kirby Smart, had passed away from complications coming from his hip surgery that he underwent after falling in New Orleans before the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
As background, Mr. Smart the elder, who was 76 years old when he passed, was in New Orleans to watch his son coach UGA’s team in the Sugar Bowl, in which the Dawgs were playing Notre Dame. The game had been postponed to the 2nd, from its original evening of the 1st time slot, due to the horrific New Year’s terror attack that left 15 dead and dozens injured.
UGA, describing what had happened that led to Mr. Smart’s tragic passing, first noted that he had fallen on the last day of 2024, when strolling around New Orleans. That fall apparently broke his hip. The school said, ESPN reports, “Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip.”
Continuing, UGA noted that though Mr. Smart was immediately taken to the hospital and underwent surgery meant to correct the issues from the fall, complications arose and he passed away while trying to overcome those complications. The school said, “He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.”
Coach Kirby Smart was, fortunately, able to spend a good part of New Year’s Day in the hospital with his father, though the cause for that was tragic, as his extra time to spend with his dad only came because of the Sugar Bowl being postponed due to the terror attack. Mr. Smart was also able to make it to the hospital after the Sugar Bowl ended, with Notre Dame winning, and then spend more time with his father.
In a personal statement on the matter, the Smart family expressed their gratitude to the Ochsner Medical Center staff in New Orleans, and added, ESPN reports, “Additionally, they ask for your continued prayers for those affected by the tragic events that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day.” Further, the statement added, “The Smart family treasures everyone’s thoughts and prayers and now prays for God’s comfort, strength, and guidance.”
Additionally, UGA President Jere W. Morehead and J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks released a statement on the passing, saying, “The entire University of Georgia community expresses our deepest sympathy to the Smart family following the passing of Sonny Smart. He and his wife Sharon have been a constant and supportive part of our Bulldog community, and we will miss Sonny’s faithful presence on the sidelines of UGA football games. We are holding the Smart family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Shane Beamer, the head coach at the University of South Carolina, said, in a post on X, “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. He was a BALL COACH thru and thru -And a competitor. 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 🙏”
Watch Coach Smart in a heartfelt moment with his dad after a game here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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