Za'Darius Smith Retired to Be With Terminally Ill Mother

ZaDarius Smith has revealed the deeply personal reason behind his sudden retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles last season, explaining that he stepped away to be with his terminally ill mother in her final days. The veteran defensive end, now with the Atlanta Falcons, shared the emotional story during a news conference on August 26, 2026, marking his first public comments since returning to the NFL. Smith, 33, said he received a call from his mother's doctor while playing for the Eagles in the 2025 season, informing him she did not have much time left. He informed the team of his decision to retire after appearing in five games, a move that surprised the organization and fans. "I wasnt going to tell the story, but Im going to tell it," Smith said. "I got a phone call from my moms doctor telling me that she dont have much longer to be on this Earth. I let the team know. Obviously, they werent trying to let me leave, but that was the only thing I had left to retire. So, I retired." The grief compounded for Smith in the months that followed. After losing his mother, he also lost his grandmother and then his father in rapid succession.