{"id":58173,"date":"2025-06-24T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T08:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=58173"},"modified":"2025-06-24T08:00:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T08:00:16","slug":"breaking-steelers-key-coach-sees-famous-father-pass-away-entire-team-in-mourning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=58173","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: Steelers Key Coach Sees Famous Father Pass Away; Entire Team In Mourning.."},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a little extra motivation this year after one of their own suffered a shocking and sudden loss.\u00a0 One of Pittsburgh\u2019s main coaches will be working with a heavy heart.<\/p>\n
Breaking: Steelers Key Coach Sees Famous Father Pass Away; Entire Team In Mourning<\/h3>\nAug 19, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
FedEx founder Fred Smith has died at the age of 80, according to multiple\u00a0sources. He was the father of NFL coach Arthur Smith:<\/p>\n
\n
The Memphis-born business\u00a0titan not only reshaped global logistics but also left a deep imprint on the lives of millions<\/span>\u00a0through his innovation and philanthropy.<\/p>\n
Smith launched FedEx in 1973 with a fearless vision that became a global shipping giant. Over the decades, he grew the company into a multibillion-dollar force in transportation and e-commerce.<\/p>\n
Forbes estimated his net worth at $5.3 billion at the time of his passing. While the exact cause of death has not been released, his impact on both business and community remains unmistakable.<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s influence reached far beyond boardrooms and balance sheets. A proud Marine Corps veteran, he committed millions to support military families, particularly through the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.<\/p>\n
His leadership at FedEx helped thousands build careers, and he remained actively involved with the company until 2022, when he stepped down as CEO but stayed on as executive chairman.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nPittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith (Photo By Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
He also spent nearly two decades as a minority owner of the\u00a0Washington Commanders, further cementing his ties to American sports. His son, Arthur Smith, followed a different path, rising through the NFL ranks. Arthur, now the offensive coordinator for the\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers, previously served as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.<\/p>\n
News of Fred Smith\u2019s passing prompted reactions from both political leaders and the sports world. Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn honored him with a statement that captured his far-reaching influence.\u00a0\u201cHis leadership and innovation transformed global commerce,\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>she said.\u00a0\u201cHis legacy will endure not only through the company he built but through the countless lives he touched.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Former Memphis mayor Jim Strickland called him\u00a0\u201cthe most significant Memphian in history\u201d<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0and praised the opportunities he created for generations in the city.<\/p>\n
NFL Fans in Pittsburgh extended their condolences to Arthur Smith after hearing the news. One user posted on X,\u00a0\u201cHave to feel for Arthur tonight. Losing a parent is rough. RIP Mr Smith.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nSep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of the helmet worn by Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) (not pictured) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Another added,\u00a0\u201cPrayers to Arthur Smith and his family.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Fred Smith\u2019s life wasn\u2019t just a business success story but a relentless pursuit of purpose. He didn\u2019t just build a global shipping giant; he reshaped the way the world moves.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nNFL Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The Steelers logo on their helmet before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a little extra motivation this year after one of their own suffered a shocking and sudden loss.\u00a0 One of Pittsburgh\u2019s main coaches… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":58178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n
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