Kim Kardashian mourns death of former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith: ‘You were an angel’

Kim Kardashian paid an emotional tribute Sunday to her old friends in the Big Easy.

The social media queen issued a series of tweets mourning the loss of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, who was shot and killed Saturday in an apparent road-rage altercation.

“Will, you were an angel to your family on earth and you will continue to be in the life after,” she wrote. “May God bless you!”

 

Kardashian also extended condolences to Smith’s wife, Racquel Joseph Smith, who was hospitalized with gunshot wounds to her leg.

“My heart breaks for my sweet friend Rockie. I’m deeply saddened by your loss,” the reality star tweeted, sharing a selfie of the two. “Sending so many prayers to her & her family! May the Lord surround her & her children with love and protection during this devastating time.”

The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star presumably knew the parents of three from her stint dating former Saints running back Reggie Bush, who overlapped with Will Smith from 2006 to 2010.

Smith, 34, who joined the Black and Gold in 2004, died after an argument erupted following a crash in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District late Saturday, police said. The events leading up to his death occurred when 28-year-old shooting suspect Cardell Hayes — himself a high school football star — apparently rear-ended Smith’s SUV.

As an argument between the two men escalated, Hayes pulled out a handgun and opened fire, police said. Smith died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Tributes from the NFL and beyond have poured in for Smith, who was a key part of the Saints team that triumphed at Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith — his wife Racquel — his children William, Wynter and Lisa,” Saints spokesman Greg Bensel wrote in a tweet.