Za'Darius Smith Announces Retirement From NFL After 11 Seasons
Za’Darius Smith is retiring.
The 33-year-old Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker made the announcement on Monday (October 13), ending an 11 season run in the NFL.
“I knew this day would come — but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, AL, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years!” he continued.
“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.”
He previously played for six different teams, and finished his career with 70.5 sacks across 145 regular season games. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft, later playing for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
“I wish him the best. I really enjoyed having him on this football team while he was on this football team,” Head Coach Nick Sirianni said, per the Philadelphia Eagles.
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