Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith, whose girlfriend died last week, is planning to play in Monday Night Football against the New York Jets.
Petara Cordero was killed Wednesday on a highway in Cleveland. Smith and Cordero had a daughter together last month. Cordero was 26.
"I am going to play tonight because it is something she would want me to do," Smith said in a statement. "She would want me to keep doing what I love and stay strong. I play for her tonight. She is my why."
On Wednesday, Smith had pulled over after his vehicle, a 2019 Lamborghini in which Cordero was a passenger, had a tire malfunction and hit the median. Cordero exited the vehicle and was standing on the road's shoulder when a car driven by a 47-year-old woman smashed into the passenger side of Smith's car.