Will Smith’s widow accepts graduate degree on his behalf

The widow of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith accepted his graduate degree on his behalf at a commencement ceremony at the University of Miami on Thursday night.

It was the first public appearance by Smith’s wife, Raquel, since her husband was killed and she was shot twice in the legs on April 9 during a roadside altercation in New Orleans.

The Saints tweeted a photo of Raquel accepting her late husband’s graduate degree at the ceremony.

“She was extremely proud of Will,”Lauren Renschler, a publicist for the Smith family, told to the Associated Press.

The team also shared a video of Raquel accepting the degree on stage with the crowd cheering and clapping.

Smith, 34, was enrolled at the school’s executive MBA program for artists and athletes when he died.

Suspect Cardell Hayes, has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder of Will Smith and attempted second-degree murder of Raquel Smith. Hayes has pleaded not guilty.

Connect with Eduardo Gonzalez on Twitter: @edmgonzalez