On March 14, Juanita Smith, an offensive line veteran player on the Women’s Professional Football League’s So Cal Scorpions, succumbed to a fatal heart attack in her sleep. She was 43.

In the football off-season she played softball in the America’s Finest City Softball League (AFCSL) on team Patty’s Front Office 2.

“This is a complete shock to the entire Scorpion family,” said Ann Bagala, So Cal Scorpions owner. “Juanita was a very special person to me, and such a giving person to her teammates and everyone she knew.”

Smith was about to enter her third season with the Scorpions, and her fourth year as a veteran women’s professional football player.

“You never seem to understand why it’s always the good ones” said Coach Mike Suggett.

Smith was the director of security at Loews Coronado Resort. She donated several hours to community organizations as a player for the Scorpions.

Smith is survived by two children, a sister and her mother, Dolores.