After playing one season of football at Greenville High School, Za’Darius Smith went on to become a three-time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL. But on Monday, Smith called a close to his 11-season NFL career as he announced his retirement via his Instagram page.
A free agent throughout the offseason, Smith had signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 5, one day after the team’s season-opening game and three days before his 33rd birthday. Smith had played in Philadelphia’s five games since, with two starts, as a defensive end/outside linebacker.
On Instagram, Smith wrote:
“I knew this day would come, but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected.
“Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, Alabama, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years!
“This game has given me the opportunity to meet great coaches, compete alongside some of the best players ever, and represent some of the greatest organizations in the league. Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever -- and for that, I’m forever grateful.
“This career has taken me across the world -- from earning my first passport stamp to visit countries I only saw on maps, to helping me start a foundation that gives back to my community. There have been challenges along the way, but the rewards have outweighed them all and helped me learn, grow and evolve as a man.
“‘…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…’ – Luke 12:48
“And to the fans -- the biggest thank you of all. To every fan from each organization I represented: thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! From wearing my jerseys, collecting my cards, sending letters, sharing your opinions (good and tough ones alike), and most importantly -- showing love. I felt it all.
“As I step into the newest season of my life, please know this game has meant the world to me. The lessons learned on and off the field will stay with me forever.”
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Among NFL players from Alabama high schools and colleges, Smith ranks sixth with 87 tackles for loss and ninth with 70.5 sacks.
A basketball player at Greenville High School, Smith played football for the Tigers during his senior year. That led him to East Mississippi Community College, and he completed his college career with two seasons at Kentucky.
A fourth-round choice of Baltimore in the 2015 NFL Draft, Smith played four seasons with the Ravens before joining the Green Bay Packers in free agency for a four-year, $66 million contract.
Smith earned Pro Bowl recognition at outside linebacker with the Packers in the 2019 and 2020 seasons as he totaled 26 sacks, 29 tackles for loss and 60 quarterback hits.
In the first game of the 2021 season, Smith aggravated a back injury. He needed surgery to repair the problem and didn’t play again until he produced a sack on his first snap in Green Bay’s 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC playoffs on Jan. 22, 2022
The Packers released Smith on March 14, 2022, with one season left on his contract. The Minnesota Vikings signed him to a three-year, $42 million contract nine days later, and he made the Pro Bowl again with a 10-sack season in 2022.
The Cleveland Browns acquired Smith and sixth- and seventh-round draft picks in 2025 from the Vikings on May 12, 2023, in exchange for fifth-round picks in the 2024 and 2025 drafts.
On Nov. 5, 2024, the Detroit Lions sent a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in exchange for Smith and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Smith has played in 145 NFL regular-season and nine playoff games with six teams.
This season for Philadelphia, Smith had 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits while playing 131 defensive snaps.
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