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NFL star Za’Darius Smith announced his decision to retire Monday at age 33.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection as a pass rusher who was in his 11th year in the league, announced his decision in a social media post.
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Za’Darius Smith (52) greets fans before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Image Images)
“I knew this day would come, but now that it’s here, I feel so many emotions I never expected,” she wrote on Instagram. “Who would have thought that a kid from Greenville, Alabama, with only one year of high school football experience, would play professional football in the NFL for an incredible 11 years!
“This game has given me the opportunity to meet great coaches, compete alongside some of the greatest players in history, and represent some of the biggest organizations in the league. Soccer has transformed my life and that of my family forever, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
“This career has taken me all over the world: from getting my first passport stamp, to visiting 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 outweighed them all and helped me learn, grow, and evolve as a man.”
Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith (99) celebrates the 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings as he walks off the field at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Smith was with the Philadelphia Eagles when he announced his retirement. He played five games for the Eagles and had 1.5 sacks with 10 tackles.
He started when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. He played four seasons with Baltimore before joining the Green Bay Packers.
Smith then spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions before joining the Eagles this season.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Za’Darius Smith celebrates the sack of Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix with his teammate, Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
He will retire with 70.5 sacks and 343 tackles in 145 career games.
