After a surprising decision to retire his country music career in pursuit of seminary studies, Granger Smith seems to be at peace with his new direction.
Granger stated in interviews that he considered the decision for a long time before finally making the call, and that his exit from the music scene felt like a “relief” after performing shows where he felt he was “lying to his fans.”
And with his new pursuits, it’s no surprise that Granger is advocating for healing and growth in others.
Most recently, Granger reached out to Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker, Shaq Barrett, following the devastating news that his two-year-old daughter had passed away after a drowning incident.
The news report following the event confirmed that Tampa Police responded to a call before 9:30 am on April 30th, but that life saving measures were inadequate. Barrett’s team shared a post later that day that identified the drowning victim as Shaq’s daughter, the youngest of his four children.
“Today’s tragic news is heartbreaking for all members of the Buccaneers family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Shaq, Jordanna and the entire Barrett family during this unimaginably difficult time.
While no words can provide true comfort at a time such as this, we offer our support and love as they begin to process this very profound loss of their beloved Arrayah.”
Shaq shared a series of photos in honor of his daughter’s birthday only a week ago, and Granger added a comment to the feed simply stating:
“Love you brother.”
Granger’s choice to pursue ministry full time came largely in part to a similar experience, when he and wife, Amber Barlett, lost their three-year-old son in a drowning accident. So while Granger’s post on Shaq’s social media page was subtle, it speaks volumes about the direction he’s headed in and how he intends to use his voice in the future.
It’s nice to know that while he may not be gracing the stage with his wild, double-personality and antics, he is still in the business of being an advocate and shoulder to lean on in troubling times.
He also recently announced that he would not be stepping away from the content on his The Smith’s YouTube series.
