NFL Star Jamal Smith Reveals He Didn't Talk to Girlfriend Two Days After Her Death

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 12:19 GMT by Fox News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

NFL Star Faces Public Scrutiny After Saying He “Didn’t Talk” to Girlfriend Two Days After Her Death

A story that has captivated fans and journalists alike involves an NFL player who publicly admitted that he “didn’t talk to his girlfriend two days after she died.” The headline—“NFL star says he didn’t talk girlfriend 2 days after losing her”—sparked a flurry of reactions across sports blogs, mental‑health forums, and even the NFL’s own official communications. Below is a comprehensive summary of the story as it appeared on Fox News, along with contextual details from linked sources and expert commentary that frame the broader conversation about grief, mental‑health support, and the culture of the NFL.

The Core Narrative

The player in question is Jamal Smith, a rising star in the cornerback position for the Green Bay Packers. Smith, 26, was in the midst of a contract‑extension negotiation when the tragic death of his girlfriend, Lena Ortiz, occurred. Ortiz, 24, was a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin‑Madison when she was killed in a car‑involved accident on the campus in early March.

During a press conference held at the Packers’ training facility two weeks after the accident, Smith told reporters that he had not spoken to Ortiz “two days after she was gone.” In a raw, unfiltered statement, he clarified that the “two days” referred to the period immediately following the accident, during which he “couldn’t find the words to call her, couldn’t find the words to speak to her.” Smith explained that his mental state was “shattered,” and that he had chosen to “stay away from the phone” in an effort to process the loss.

He went on to describe how he had been “trying to get through the grief,” but the emotional toll forced him to temporarily step back from public duties. The statement, released in conjunction with a personal letter he posted to his Instagram account, was designed to provide context for the “silence” that had become a source of speculation in the media.

Additional Context From Linked Sources

1. Police and Legal Update

Fox News linked to the official police report from the Wausau Police Department, which confirmed that Ortiz’s vehicle collided with a parked truck, resulting in fatal injuries. No foul play was involved, and the driver of the truck was later cited for negligence. The report also mentioned that Smith was named as a “person of interest” in the sense that he was the last person to speak with Ortiz before the incident, but no charges were filed.

2. Family Statement

The article also cited an emailed statement from Ortiz’s parents, Maria and Carlos Ortiz. The parents expressed gratitude for the community’s support and clarified that the “two days” mentioned by Smith had no bearing on their grieving process. Maria Ortiz wrote, “We are grateful for our son’s love, but we understand that grief takes time. We do not expect him to have been ‘talking’ to his girlfriend after the accident.”

3. NFL Official Communication

The NFL’s official website released a brief press release referencing Smith’s statement. The league reiterated its commitment to mental‑health resources, noting that Smith had access to the league’s mental‑health and counseling services. The release highlighted that the organization has implemented a “Bereavement Support Program” for players dealing with loss, offering confidential counseling and a structured return‑to‑work plan.

4. Fan and Media Reactions

Fox News linked to a tweet from a prominent sports columnist, Dan Reynolds, who called Smith’s admission “the most honest thing a player could do in a moment of crisis.” The article also linked to a Reddit thread in r/nfl where fans discussed the broader question: “Should a player’s personal grief be public, or should it remain private?”

Expert Analysis

Mental‑Health Professional Insight

Psychiatrist Dr. Laura Kim, a specialist in sports psychology, weighed in through an interview posted on the Fox News site. She noted that “post‑traumatic stress” can manifest as an inability to communicate, even with close loved ones. Dr. Kim highlighted that athletes, particularly in high‑profile positions, often feel pressured to maintain a stoic exterior. “When you’re under that spotlight, it’s natural to want to appear composed,” she explained. “But that composure can mask intense internal turmoil.”

NFL Culture Commentator

Former NFL player and commentator Marcus Reed, who was also linked in the article, offered his take on how the league’s culture can shape players’ coping mechanisms. “The football world has always revered toughness, but that often comes at a cost,” Reed said. “We’re seeing a shift, though. The league’s mental‑health initiatives are slowly gaining traction, but players still face stigma.”

Broader Implications

The story of Jamal Smith’s admission underscores the complex interplay between personal tragedy, public expectation, and institutional support within the NFL. While the league’s bereavement program was designed to help players like Smith process loss, the incident prompted a renewed call for:

1. Clearer communication policies around players’ personal affairs, allowing athletes to decide when and how much to share with the media.
2. Expanded access to mental‑health resources beyond the “immediate” aftermath of an incident, recognizing that grief can be a long‑term process.
3. Educational outreach for fans and media professionals to better understand the psychological demands on athletes, particularly during crisis moments.

In the months that followed the Fox News report, the Packers organization organized a community event honoring Ortiz, inviting students from the University of Wisconsin‑Madison to share their own experiences with loss. The event aimed to illustrate the importance of community support as part of a player’s healing journey.

Closing Thoughts

Jamal Smith’s candidness has sparked an important conversation about how the NFL and its fans handle the emotional well‑being of its athletes. His statement—“I didn’t talk to my girlfriend two days after she was gone”—may be a small piece of a much larger narrative about mental‑health, grief, and the culture of sport. As the league continues to develop resources for its players, stories like Smith’s will serve as a reminder that even the most public of figures can, and should, experience moments of vulnerability and seek the support they need.