University of Georgia football fans, coaches and officials from throughout the state are offering their condolences following the death of Kirby Smart’s father, Sonny Smart.
Sonny Smart died Saturday after suffering complications from surgery to repair a broken hip from a fall on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. He had been visiting the city for the Bulldogs’ Sugar Bowl game against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff.
Smart, 76, was a constant presence at Georgia football games alongside his wife, Sharon. They have two other children: Karl and Kendall.
Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Gov. Brian Kemp said called Smart an incredible father, husband, and coach, who “embodied the values and strength that we should all wish to have.”
“We are praying for Sharon, Karl, Kirby, Kendall, and all of their loved ones during this difficult time,” the governor added. “We ask that all Georgians join us in keeping them and those tragically impacted earlier this week in New Orleans in our hearts and prayers.”
Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said he had the privilege to visit with Sonny many times and “enjoyed every conversation.”
“Sonny Smart touched many people in his life and we are saddened to learn of his passing,” Sankey said. “Our sympathies go out to Kirby Smart and his family and to all who knew his dad.”
Sonny Smart grew up in Alabama near the Georgia state line. During college, he played football at Samford, a university near Birmingham, which extended its “heartfelt condolence and prayers” to the Smart family.
“Sonny played center for the Bulldogs and was a proud alumnus of our university,” Samford football said.
Sonny and his wife Sharon frequently attended Georgia football games, and were often seen on the field at Sanford Stadium after them. On Nov. 23, after the Bulldogs win against the University of Massachusetts, Kirby Smart gave his parents each a big hug in the end zone.
Sonny had planned to attend the New Year’s Day game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but never made it. Georgia would lost the contest, which was rescheduled for the following day due to the terror attack in New Orleans.
Growing up, Kirby Smart often spent time at the football field with his dad and played under him at Bainbridge High. Kirby would later play for the Bulldogs as a defensive back. In a 2018 interview with 11alive, Sonny said that if “coaching everyone was like coaching Kirby, I’d probably still be doing it.”
UGA fan Blade Hall said Kirby coached the Sugar Bowl this month knowing his father was in the hospital. While he never met either of them, Hall said it “hurts like it’s my own.”
“I do not care what you have to say, we have the best damn coach in the land and I’m forever a drunk obnoxious DAWG fan,” he wrote on X.
“Rest In Peace Coach Sonny Smart. A great man,” added longtime media personality Jeff Dantzler.
Harrison Smith Jr. said he was saddened by the news of his passing and was looking forward to seeing Smart last weekend before the game was rescheduled.
“He was my high school coach, got a opportunity to hear him say proud of you,” Smith Jr. said.
X user CuteJByrd added: “My heart is breaking I can’t even imagine losing my father.... Rest high Sonny.”
Other UGA fans to offer their condolences include X user Dawsgsfan34, or Wade, who said Sonny Smart “took pride in leading and turning boys into men.”
“He was all about accountability, teamwork, and fairness,” Wade wrote. “Rest easy coach your work here is done.”
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