Iowa star’s grandfather killed in vehicle-pedestrian incident before Music City Bowl

The grandfather of Iowa star linebacker Jack Campbell tragically died in a automobile crash in Nashville on Friday after touring to Tennessee to see his grandson play in what’s going to probably be his last school soccer sport. 

William Smith Jr., 76, was pronounced useless at Vanderbilt College Medical Middle after being concerned in a single vehicle-pedestrian incident late Friday night, the university stated in a press release on Saturday.

“Our hearts are with Jack and his whole household as they grieve the tragic dying of their grandfather and father, William Smith, Jr.,” coach Kirk Ferentz stated in a press release offered by the college. 

MISSISSIPPI STATE RELEASES EMOTIONAL VIDEO AS TEAM SET TO HONOR MIKE LEACH AT BOWL GAME

“We all know Mr. Smith was a powerful affect on his grandson and a devoted Hawkeye soccer supporter. All of us – gamers, coaches and employees members – will maintain the Campbell household in our ideas and prayers throughout this profoundly troublesome time.”

In accordance with The Tennessean, Smith was hit by a van after getting into the highway simply after 10 p.m. Police informed the outlet that Smith didn’t hear a member of the family’s warning to not step into the highway. 

Iowa’s Jack Campbell watches Kentucky quarterback Destin Wade previous to a snap in the course of the TransPerfect Music Metropolis Bowl, Dec. 31, 2022, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
(Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Campbell had a dominant efficiency in Saturday’s shutout of Kentucky within the Music Metropolis Bowl, main the Hawkeyes with 10 tackles. He additionally registered a sack and two tackles for loss.

In accordance with the college, his mother and father didn’t inform him about his grandfather’s passing so he may “have one final time to play along with his Iowa Hawkeye teammates.”

Iowa’s Jack Campbell warms up earlier than the Nebraska Cornhuskers sport on Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa Metropolis.
(Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Jack’s mother and father informed him about his grandfather’s passing after the Music Metropolis Bowl sport ended,” the information releases learn. “His mother and father made the choice to attend to share this devastating information in order that Jack would have one final time to play along with his Iowa Hawkeye teammates.”