Za'Darius Smith opens up on the family loss behind his surprise 2025 retirement
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith opened up publicly for the first time about the personal reasons behind his surprise retirement last season, and the family loss that pulled him away from the Eagles. The 32-year-old retur…
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith opened up publicly for the first time about the personal reasons behind his surprise retirement last season, and the family loss that pulled him away from the Eagles. The 32-year-old returned to the NFL this year with Atlanta after stepping away at the start of the 2025 campaign.
Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate): This is painful: #Falcons OLB Za’Darius Smith opened up today on why he abruptly retired last year with the #Eagles. His mom passed away, followed by his grandma, and then his dad. “This is my happy place. I was in a dark place.” 💔🙏 (🎥 @kinseyleetv)
Smith, who had been with Philadelphia, told reporters the decision came after a call from his mother's doctor saying she did not have long to live. He retired so he could be with her, and his grandmother and father also passed away in the months that followed. "This is my happy place," Smith said of football, acknowledging he was in a dark place before returning.
The Falcons moved quickly once he became available, with a need at pass rusher after Jalon Walker's torn ACL and James Pearce's suspension. Smith said his mother always wanted him in Atlanta, close to the family's Alabama roots, and that tie helped draw him to the Falcons. He worked out for Cleveland first, but Atlanta's deeper need brought him south.