Father of Broncos lineman Antonio Smith passes away

Antonio Smith‘s father passed away this week from complications of heart surgery.

Smith signed with the Broncos in the offseason and has proven to be a leader to the Broncos defense with his familiarity with Wade Phillips’ system.

“It’s rough. I just found out this morning. It was my mom who called and told me. The call came in at about 6:30,” Smith told Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post when he heard the news.

Per Kiszla, Smith’s father Marty Williams, was 55 years old and has spent more than two decades incarcerated in prison.  Smith will remain with the team and still intends to play in Super Bowl 50.