Falcons’ Za’Darius Smith Reveals His Brief Retirement From the NFL Was to Care for His Ailing Mother
Smith said he retired after learning his mother was terminal and later signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Atlanta.
- On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith spoke emotionally about stepping away from football to care for his dying mother during a news conference at the team's training facility.
- Smith left the Philadelphia Eagles in October 2025 after his mother's doctor informed him she had limited time to live, making retirement his only way to leave the team and be with her.
- Following his mother's death, Smith's father and grandmother also died within months, leaving him grieving deeply. He described the period as a "dark place."
- The Falcons signed the three-time Pro Bowler to a $6 million deal on August 18, bringing him closer to his Alabama home where his mother had always wanted him to play.
- Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, also grieving his wife's death, connected with Smith immediately, helping him rediscover joy in football and work toward his goal of 100 career sacks.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Falcons’ Za’Darius Smith Reveals His Brief Retirement From the NFL Was to Care for His Ailing Mother
Za’Darius Smith is back in the NFL after retiring halfway through last season, and now we know why he stepped aside. Smith, 33, signed with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month and revealed in a news conference on Wednesday, August 26, that his short and unexpected retirement came due to his mother’s failing health. “I said I wasn’t going to tell the story, but I’m going to tell it,” he said, before recounting the phone call he received…
Za'Darius Smith Opened Up About His Abrupt Retirement With The Eagles Last Year, And It's Impossible Not To Be Rooting For Him Now
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NFL pro Za'Darius Smith reveals why he suddenly resigned in the middle of last season, and why he's now making his comeback with the Atlanta Falcon.
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