Link: Kirby Smart's Father Passes Away After Falling on NYE in NOLA

[WMack4Bama]

Georgia Football coach Kirby Smart's father, Sonny, died early Saturday morning after suffering complications from hip surgery he underwent following a fall in New Orleans before the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the school announced.

Terrible news. How Kirby even managed to coach that game with that on his mind (in addition to all the other stuff) is a testament to his professionalism, and I'm sure his father is proud that he did coach it.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Wow. People giving Georgia crap about using Beck as an excuse, I wonder how many of the other members of the team knew?

 

[AlistarWills]

How awful.

 

[Joefus]

That’s horrible. That’s my biggest fear with my own father. When they start falling it’s only a matter of time till something really bad happens

 

[bamamc1]

I had heard Kirby’s father had fallen and was in the hospital in NOLA but I didn’t know it was that serious. That’s awful news. Couple that with the other chaos going on there with the delay that’s hard to fathom. My sympathies to the family.

 

[CB4]

That’s horrible. That’s my biggest fear with my own father. When they start falling it’s only a matter of time till something really bad happens

While Kirby’s father’s demise was due to post surgical complications, hip fractures in the elderly carry a very high mortality rate. His father, Sonny, was 76 years old.

The two year (24 month) mortality rate for an elderly patient 75 years of age or older is about 70% post hip fractures. This isn’t due directly to the fracture itself, but due to complications related to loss of mobility. They become more sedentary, bed ridden, and at high risk for infections, pneumonia, etc..

My mother in law, in her late 80’s at the time, suffered a hip fracture in June of 2019. She has been pretty much immobile and relegated to a wheelchair since. I remind my wife that the fact she is still with us today, through Covid, is a minor miracle.

 

[Bamanooga]

It's hard to keep your focus on a game, even as HC, with a member of your immediate family seriously hurt. Prayers of comfort to the Smart family.

 

[Crimson1967]

My grandfather broke his hip at 95 and was never in good shape after the surgery. He was fairly lucid prior to that but declined severely afterwards. Never walked again. My grandmother died about a month after his fall and I don’t think he was truly aware that she had died. A woman at his nursing home would call me regularly and give me updates on him but I never spoke to him again. I lived too far away to make a trip worth it. He died about three years after that.

 

[mlh]

Sad news. Praying for Kirby and his family.

 

[GrayTide]

Condolences to Coach Smart and his family.

 

[BamaBoySince89]

My grandmother fell last September in Florida and passed away 3 days after Christmas in 2023 so I know the feeling. Prayers for him and his family. That Sugar Bowl trip had to been the most mentally exhausting for him dealing with his Father and the events leading up to the game.

 

[RTR2u]

Thoughts and prayers for Coach Smart and his family. How horrible.

My grandmother fell at 89 and broke her hip. She was on a walker and managed to live just a month shy of her 93rd birthday.

 

[dtgreg]

Man, that's tough.

 

[CB4]

And just found out my wife’s aunt (my mother in law’s sister) who is 89 years old, fell early in the week and broke her hip. They operated and repaired (didn’t replace) and she remains in very serious condition tonight.

It is the reason my father in law (uses a walker) is not allowed to walk anywhere unassisted. Even with a walker, all it takes is one little bobble to hit the floor.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

Very sad to hear.

 

[Padreruf]

I'm 74 and have had 3 falls in the last 5 months. One was down our steps into the attached garage -- and under my wife's car!!!. I had a baby mattress in my arms and somehow turned and rolled over on it. One was caused by my wife dropping her purse with long strap under my feet as we exited the Disney Wish (cruise ship). The 3rd came several months ago as I tripped over a stake on the golf course.

I came away from all with nothing more than light bruises -- mainly due to my weight lifting that I started last January 1. I have neuropathy in my feet due to medication for multiple myeloma. I have instability as a result-- and have to be cautious. Lifting weights has strengthened my entire body and enabled me to do normal physical activities much easier and without fear of falling. I even walked 18 holes (5 ½ miles) the other day.

My point is one I received from Dr. Peter Attia (Outlive) -- falling is the greatest danger to seniors as they age. All seniors need to be working out and lifting weights so as to be strong enough to roll and survive the fall, as well as to get up off the floor. I am very cautious on stairs and always have one hand on the rail when going up or down. My oldest son's father in law fell backwards on the stairs, hit his head on the stone floor and died the next day. I had any number of seniors who fell and that began their downhill slide physically speaking.

Prayers for Kirby and family -- that is a tough situation to be sure.

 

[GrayTide]

Padre, you are suppose to eat the stake, not trip over it.

 

[92tide]

horrible news for kirby and the smart family

 

[Windsortide]

Prayers for Kirby and his family.

 

[CB4]

I'm 74 and have had 3 falls in the last 5 months. One was down our steps into the attached garage -- and under my wife's car!!!. I had a baby mattress in my arms and somehow turned and rolled over on it. One was caused by my wife dropping her purse with long strap under my feet as we exited the Disney Wish (cruise ship). The 3rd came several months ago as I tripped over a stake on the golf course.

I came away from all with nothing more than light bruises -- mainly due to my weight lifting that I started last January 1. I have neuropathy in my feet due to medication for multiple myeloma. I have instability as a result-- and have to be cautious. Lifting weights has strengthened my entire body and enabled me to do normal physical activities much easier and without fear of falling. I even walked 18 holes (5 ½ miles) the other day.

My point is one I received from Dr. Peter Attia (Outlive) -- falling is the greatest danger to seniors as they age. All seniors need to be working out and lifting weights so as to be strong enough to roll and survive the fall, as well as to get up off the floor. I am very cautious on stairs and always have one hand on the rail when going up or down. My oldest son's father in law fell backwards on the stairs, hit his head on the stone floor and died the next day. I had any number of seniors who fell and that began their downhill slide physically speaking.

Prayers for Kirby and family -- that is a tough situation to be sure.

Excellent point. Many women are at risk for post menopausal osteoporosis, leading to compression fractures of the spine and a higher risk of non vertebral fractures, particularly at the hip and wrist. Most osteoporosis in men is related to long term steroid use or other long term therapeutic treatment for chronic conditions or cancers.

As we age (I’m pushing 65) the best thing we can do is exercise. Resistance training with weights has shown to stimulate bone cell remodeling (replacement) and lower fracture risk. Additionally, working on posture, balance and flexibility is greatly beneficial.

I workout 3-4 times a week. About 30-45 minutes on the treadmill, followed by light weight training. Not “crushing” it. Just enough for exertion.