Falcons Player Wasn’t Sure He Would Play Again After Losing His Parents, Grandmother
Smith said successive family deaths led him to leave Philadelphia early in the 2025 season before he returned to the NFL with Atlanta.
- On August 18, edge rusher Za'Darius Smith signed a 1-year, $6 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, returning to the NFL after abruptly retiring from the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
- Smith abruptly retired in 2025 to care for his mother, suffering the successive deaths of his mother, grandmother, and father during that period.
- "This is my happy place," Smith said, explaining he chose Atlanta because his late mother always wanted him to play there, bringing him closer to his Alabama roots.
- Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich bonded with Smith over shared experiences of grief, while the Falcons addressed an edge rusher shortage caused by injuries to projected starters.
- With 70.5 career sacks already recorded, Smith is chasing 100 and turns 34 before the September 13th opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Za’Darius Smith explains why he retired from the Eagles last season: ‘I was in a dark place’
Former Eagles edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is back with the Falcons after retiring last season to be with his mother before she died. Then he had to endure more family loss.
Falcons’ Za’Darius Smith Reveals Mother’s Health Factored into His Retirement: ‘Was in a Dark Place’
Smith fought back tears and asked the media to give him a moment during an emotional press conferenceZa’Darius Smith on Sept. 21, 2025 in PhiladelphiaCredit: Mitchell Leff/GettyNEED TO KNOWZa’Darius Smith fought tears in an emotional press conference explaining why he retired last year during the NFL seasonSmith said he was “in a dark place” after losing his mother, grandmother and father in the last year“This is my happy place,” Smith said abou…
"Wasn't supposed to retire": Falcons OLB Za’Darius Smith tears up while revealing death of his mother, father and grandmother caused sudden decision
Three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith announced his surprise retirement after playing just five games with the Philadelphia Eagles in October last year.
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