A Viking No More—Former Minnesota Pass-Rusher’s Sudden Retirement Sends Waves Through the NFL Community.QQ

Andrew Harbaugh, Vikings Wire

The Minnesota Vikings were set to play a former pass-rusher they were familiar with in Za’Darius Smith when the Philadelphia Eagles come to town on Sunday. The reigning Super Bowl champions have been depleted in their pass rush unit by injuries, but on Monday, they lost another when he decided to step away from the game of football.

Linebacker Za’Darius Smith took to social media to announce that he was retiring from the NFL.

In his statement, Smith said, “I knew this day would come – but now that it’s here, l’m feeling so many emotions I never expected. Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, AL, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years! This game has given me the opportunity to meet great coaches, compete alongside some of the best players ever, and represent some of the greatest organizations in the league. Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever – and for that, l’m forever grateful.”

In his career, Smith accumulated 70.5 sacks, which is good enough to have him as one of the best pass rushers in his time in the league. His one year in Minnesota resulted in 10 sacks, which earned him a Pro Bowl, and he was in consideration for Comeback Player of the Year. He spent time with a total of six teams, of course, Minnesota, but also with the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and Cleveland Browns.

He ended his statement, saying, “There have been challenges along the way, but the rewards have outweighed them all and helped me learn, grow, and evolve as a man.”