Sony Smart Wald Georgia Football The university confirmed that coach Kirby Smart died early Saturday morning from complications related to hip surgery he underwent after a fall the day before the Sugar Bowl game.
Sonny Smart was injured in New Orleans on New Year's Day before the game College Football Playoff A quarterfinal game between Georgia and Notre Dame, which was postponed to the next day after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 14 people and injured dozens.
The field before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. (Photos by Stephen Law-Imagine)
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He died shortly after midnight surrounded by his family.
The statement read: “Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year's Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip. He was taken to the hospital and underwent hip surgery, and unfortunately complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.”
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, Nov. 5, 2022. Georgia won 27-13. Online guild athens (to imagine)
“The Smart family extends their deepest gratitude to Ochsner Hospital and the medical staff for the exceptional care provided to Sonny. 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.”
According to to ESPN, Kirby Smart spent part of New Year's Day in the hospital with his father 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 game between Ohio State and Georgia on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Atlanta. Georgia won 42-41. Joshua L. Jones News (to imagine)
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Sonny Smart was a longtime high school football coach at Alabama and Georgia. He also played football at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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