Grandfather of Iowa football star Jack Campbell dies in Nashville before Music City Bowl

The grandfather of one of the football players in the Music City Bowl died after being hit by a hotel passenger van on West End Avenue Friday night in Nashville.

William Smith Jr., 76, of Waterloo, Iowa, was hit by the van after he stepped onto the road on West End Avenue after 10 p.m., according to a Metro Nashville Police Department. A family member had warned him not to step into the road, but Smith did not hear the warning, police said.

Smith is the grandfather of Iowa star linebacker Jack Campbell, who helped the Hawkeyes to a 21-0 victory over Kentucky at Nissan Stadium on Saturday. Campbell won the Butkus Award in 2022, which is given annually to the best linebacker in college football, and had 10 tackles with a sack in his final college game.

“Our hearts are with Jack and his entire family as they grieve the tragic death of their grandfather and father, William Smith, Jr.,” said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz in a school release. “We know Mr. Smith was a strong influence on his grandson and a faithful Hawkeye football supporter. All of us – players, coaches and staff members – will keep the Campbell family in our thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time.”

Campbell's parents waited until after the game to tell him about his grandfather’s death, Iowa said in the release.

Eight people were in the van at the time, including the driver. All of them were uninjured. Police said they did not anticipate filing charges against the driver, who was driving for Holiday Inn at the time, according to MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron.

Smith was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died.

Nick Gray contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Iowa star's grandfather dies in Nashville before Music City Bowl