Sonny Smart, the father of University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart, died Saturday at the age of 76.
The University of Georgia announced that Smart died as a result of complications during hip surgery: "Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year's Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip. He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries."
Sonny was in New Orleans to watch Kirby coach the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals against Notre Dame at the Caesars Superdome.