Sonny Smart, the father of Georgia football coach Kirby Smart died early Saturday morning from complications related to hip surgery he underwent after falling the day before the Sugar Bowl, the university confirmed.
Sonny Smart was injured in New Orleans on New Year’s Day before the start of the competition College Football Playoff quarterfinal match between Georgia and Notre Dame, which was postponed until the next day after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street killed at least 14 people and injured dozens of others.
The field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-Imagn images)
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He died shortly after midnight, surrounded by his family.
“Sonny fell while walking on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and broke his hip. He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries,” the statement said.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart celebrates with his father, Sonny Smart, after an NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Georgia in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Georgia won 27-13. Syndication Online Athens (PROPOSE)
“The Smart family expresses their sincere gratitude to Ochsner Hospital and its medical staff for the exceptional care provided to Sonny. In addition, they ask for your continued prayers for those affected by the tragic events that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day.”
According to to ESPN, Kirby Smart spent part of New Year’s Day with his father in the hospital after the Sugar Bowl was postponed. He returned shortly after Georgia’s 23-10 loss to Notre Dame.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart receives the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl trophy after winning the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal between Ohio State and Georgia on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Atlanta. Georgia won 42-41. News Joshua L Jones (IMAGINE)
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Sonny Smart was a longtime high school football coach in Alabama and Georgia. He also played football at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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