Will Smith’s widow received his posthumous MBA in Miami graduation ceremony

Will Smith last played in the NFL in 2012 and he was already working on his life outside of football before Cardell Hayes shot and killed the former defensive end in April.

He was on his way to completing a graduate degree from the University of Miami before the incident. And although there are very few silver linings in this situation, the Smith family can smile—even if it’s just for a moment.

On Thursday, Smith’s wife Raquel, wheelchair-bound because of a broken femur caused in the same incident, took the stage for in Will’s place to receive his degree.

Though he was unable to receive the degree himself, his loved ones were able to celebrate his life one more time.