On Saturday night, the NFL world was dealt a shocking blow when former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was murdered after exchanging words with another man following a fender bender. The suspect, Cardell Hayes, opened fire on Smith and his wife Racquel, killing Smith and sending his wife to the hospital with two gunshot wounds to her leg.
After news reports revealed Hayes as the suspect, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu took to Twitter to announce that he knew Hayes.
I know that dude, he been a hating ass coward…. Never knew he’d grow up to be a killer tho…. May you get what you deserve coward
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) April 10, 2016
Hayes was a former high school football star and was rated as one of the top players in the state of Louisiana in 2004 according to Scout.com. He had interest from both LSU and Florida.
Mathieu played his college football at LSU and was born in New Orleans, so it makes perfect sense that the two knew each other.
A $1 million bond was set for Hayes as he’s been charged with second-degree murder.