Baltimore, Maryland: Baltimore Ravens Torrey Smith played against the New England Patriots on Sunday night while remembering his late brother Tevin Jones, who died in a motorcycle accident less than 24 hours earlier.
The Ravens beat Patriots 31-30 in the game, with Smith playing a pivotal role.
“My teammates, they keep you focused,” Los Angeles Times quoted Smith as saying.
“I didn’t want to be out there, just running around, doing nothing. If I was going to be out there, I was going to give it my all. You’re on the lines, you just want to make the play.
“Afterwards is when you can sit back and reflect on things. My teammates, I love them to death, and they helped me get through this.”
Smith was given a chance to decide whether he wanted to play the match. However, he made his mind just hours before the game, which started after a moment of silence for Jones.
“Torrey is a great, great young man,” Coach John Harbaugh said. “We dedicate that victory to Tevin and to the whole family. When Torrey said he wanted to play, then the decision was finished. Obviously, he’s a pretty special guy.”
Smith said after the game:
“It was tough emotionally. I didn’t know how I would hold up. I was telling my teammates a minute ago that this is new territory for me personally. I never really had to deal with a death in the family, let alone my brother. It’s part of life and, due to my teammates and my family and friends, I’ll be able to get over it.
“Obviously, you play with a heavy heart. You want to play for that person. My mom, all my family, they didn’t even know I was going to play until the last minute. She was like, ‘Of course, he’d want you to play.’ He admired me so much, and it’s just a tough situation altogether.”
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