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When the New England Patriots signed Jonnu Smith to a four-year, $50 million contract this offseason, they secured an athletic, versatile offensive weapon to improve their running and passing attack. They also locked in a survivor who, at just 25 years old, has already survived a traumatic experience.
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While starring at Florida International University in college, Smith was involved in a relationship with a Miami Gardens resident named Mary Gaspar, the Miami Herald reported. According to an arrest affidavit cited by the Miami Herald, on Halloween in 2016, “Smith suffered severe burns on his head, neck, back, a shoulder and an arm” when Gaspar, who was five months pregnant with the then-21-year-old’s child, doused him with boiling water.
According to the affidavit, Gaspar told Florida International University police that the two had argued that day over a lack of attention paid to her, the Herald reported. While the couple was in Smith’s dorm room, and while feeling what she described as “extremely emotional and stressed,” Gaspar boiled a pot of water, walked over and poured it on Smith, according to the Herald. According to the report given to police, Smith still didn’t react sufficiently in Gaspar’s eyes, so she began hitting him.
Gaspar was charged with felony aggravated battery, Miami-Dade County court records show. However, according to court records, prosecutors dropped the case in August 2017.
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Despite the horrific details, Smith missed just one game but was limited for the final two contests of his college career.
Nine months later, the Tennessee Titans drafted Smith in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
We don’t know when things ended between Smith and Gaspar, but Total Pro Sports reported in 2018 that the tight end was in a relationship with Instagram model India Love.
As for Gaspar, 25, there is no trace of her on social media, and only a few images related to this sad story can be found.
Smith’s Son Is a Mainstay on His Instagram Account
Smith and Gaspar’s son is now four years old, and he’s a constant on his dad’s Instagram page. Smith posted a happy birthday message to him on March 7.
If you follow Smith, his son is featured so often, it’s almost as if you’ve been able to watch him grow from an infant into a preschooler.
Smith Could Be the Patriots’ No. 1 Pass Target in 2021
The Patriots have done just about everything imaginable to improve their passing game heading into the 2021 season. In addition to signing Smith, New England also inked Hunter Henry and wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.
On the offensive line, they lost Joe Thuney but retained David Andrews and re-acquired massive offensive tackle Trent Brown for his second tour of duty with the franchise. Even with all the resources the Patriots have added, Smith’s athleticism and ability to create matchup problems for defenses might make him Cam Newton’s No. 1 target.
Smith can be used out of the backfield as a receiver, line up as a wide receiver, or traditionally as a tight end. Don’t be surprised to see Smith pull in 60-80 receptions for 800-1,000 yards and 6-10 TDs in 2021.
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