Will Smith's widow accepts graduate degree on his behalf

The widow of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, who was shot and killed last month, has accepted his master's degree from the University of Miami during the school's graduation ceremony.

The Saints tweeted a video of the graduation ceremony on Thursday night, showing Racquel Smith being pushed across the stage in her wheelchair as the crowd applauded the announcement. She accepted the degree, which was awarded to Will Smith posthumously.

Her husband was killed and she was shot in each of her legs on the night of April 9 when a traffic incident turned into a fatal confrontation.

"She was extremely proud of Will," a publicist for the Smith family, Lauren Renschler, told the Associated Press after Racquel accepted the degree.

Will Smith, 34, was part of the inaugural class in Miami's Executive MBA for Artists and Athletes program, an 18-month course of study. He also was considering a coaching internship with the Saints this summer.

Smith's playing career ended in 2014 after he spent his first 10 seasons in New Orleans.

Suspect Cardell Hayes has been charged with the second-degree murder of Will Smith and the attempted murder of Racquel Smith.