Tributes pour in after ‘incredible’ father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart tragically dies after fall
The football world has paid tribute to the father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart after he died 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 died of surgical complications, Georgia said.
Smart Sr. died Saturday morning while surrounded by his family. His death caused an outpouring of grief from the sports world and Georgia.
‘Terrible news this morning when we heard about the passing of Sonny Smart. I have known Kirby for 25 years and have always enjoyed my interactions with his father,” USC coach Shane Beamer wrote on social media.
‘I’m still recovering from the defeat Coach Smart and my father gave Kirby and me on the golf course during a “friendly” father-son game on the 4th of July years ago.
“My heart aches for the Smart family and we send prayers to them all – God bless them all.”
Kirby Smart’s father, Sonny (right), died after 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 paying 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 by his passing,” he wrote.
‘I have had the privilege of visiting Sonny many times and have enjoyed every conversation. Our condolences go out to Kirby Smart and his family and to everyone who knew his father.”
The impact of Smart Sr. on football in Georgia was illustrated by the words of the state’s governor, Brian P. Kemp, who said his family was “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 we should all desire.”
According to AL.comSonny 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. Previously, he coached at Holtville High School in Alabama and played college football at Samford University, per ESPN.
“Samford Football extends its sincere condolences and prayers to the Smart family on the passing of Sonny Smart,” the statement said.
“Sonny played center for the Bulldogs and was a proud alumnus of our university.”
His death is not related to the terror attack that took place in New Orleans in the early hours of January 1, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove his truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing fourteen people.