KENNER, La. -- The wife of slain former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith said Friday that the defensive ends zest for life and refusal to accept failure has guided her recovery from the physical and emotional wounds she suffered on the night her worst fear came true.Racquel Smith, who was shot twice in the legs when her husband was fatally shot last April 9, made her first public remarks since Will Smiths death at the former Pro Bowl players formal induction into the Saints Hall of Fame.There were days when I couldnt get out of bed, nor did I want to, Racquel Smith said. I knew I had to be strong for my three beautiful kids, and thats when I felt Will the most -- his strength, his determination, his commitment to being the best.Through my darkest days of my life, Will gave me so much, she continued. He instilled so much in me and he showed me how to be strong. He always told me, `Rocky, you can do this.Will Smith was fatally shot following an argument over a relatively minor car accident, just blocks from New Orleans renowned Garden District. Cardell Hayes, who remained on the scene until police arrived and has argued he fired in self-defense, has been indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in Smiths death. He has also been indicted on a charge of attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of Racquel Smith, who described having to learn to walk again because of nerve damage and a broken femur.Prosecutors say Hayes provoked a confrontation by ramming his SUV into one driven by Smith. The defense has argued that Smith was the aggressor and that Hayes fired in self-defense after Smith went to his own car to get his gun.Jury selection in Hayes trial is scheduled Dec. 1. Racquel Smith, a potential witness in the case, did not take questions or make any public remarks at the Hall of Fame event beyond her prepared speech.Im heart-broken that Will isnt here to accept this in person, she said. In my heart, he is with us here today in spirit.Hes proud as ever, she added. I can hear his voice, and I so miss his voice.Shortly before speaking, Racquel Smith intermittently wiped away tears as she and a Hall-of-Fame luncheon crowd packing a suburban country club ball room watched a video featuring highlights of Will Smiths playing career, as well as footage of the burley defensive end interacting with children at charitable events and football camps. At one moment, the video showed Smith nearly flipping over Pittsburghs Ben Roethlisbergers shoulder as the sturdy Steelers quarterback tried to duck under Smiths tackle, only to have Smith latch onto his arm and pull him to the turf for a sack. Then there were scenes of Smith wearing a red and white Santa Claus hat with children on his lap.About a month before Smiths death, a panel of veteran reporters covering the Saints elected him into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Smith, a former Ohio State standout whose Saints career spanned from 2004 to 2012 and featured 67+ sacks, was informed of the honor before his death.Will and Racquel Smiths three children, Wynter, Williams and Lisa, also attended the induction. They smiled as they posted with their mother and other family members in front of a Hall-of-Fame portrait of Smith, which depicts him in a blazer, smiling and holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy that he helped the Saints win in the Super Bowl at the end of the 2009 season.Will, you will always be a part of me, Racquel Smith said. I love you, Will. Congratulations, baby. You did it again.---More AP NFL: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLReplica Soccer Jerseys . Vaives lawyer Trevor Whiffen claims the former 50-goal man wasnt provided with a copy of the claim beforehand and that he would not have agreed to the allegations made against the NHL had he been asked to review its contents. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Soccer Jerseys Outlet . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Rhode Island guard Jarvis Garrett was put in a neck brace and taken off the court on a stretcher after hitting his head during the No. 21 Rams game against No. 24 Cincinnati?on Saturday.Garrett fell hard underneath his teams basket late in the first half of the Rams 76-71 victory?in the Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament and hit his head on a cameramans knee on his way to the ground, snapping his neck back.He stayed on the floor foor several minutes, before walking under his own power to the stretcher, and he was seen saying, Im OK.ddddddddddddHe was taken to Backus Hospital for tests.Coach Dan Hurley told ESPN that Garrett suffered a neck sprain and that X-rays were negative.ESPNs Jeff Goodman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '
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