Emotional NFL star visibly choked up discussing tragedies that led to retirement before comeback decision

Za’Darius Smith is back in the NFL, 10 months on from his mid-season retirement.

The three-time Pro Bowl defensive end called time on his career in October 2025, weeks after signing with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

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“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,” Smith wrote at the time, walking away from the NFL.

“Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever — and for that, I’m forever grateful.”

Less than 12 months on, he’s set to get back on the field.

Emotional Za’Darius Smith details personal tragedies

Last week, it was announced that Smith was joining the Atlanta Falcons to bolster their pass rush ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

On Wednesday, Smith held his first press conference since making his comeback, revealing that he only left the game in the first place so he could be with his mother during a difficult time.

“I wasn’t supposed to retire,” Smith said. “I wasn’t going to tell the story, but I’m going to tell it. I got a phone call from my mom’s doctor telling me that she don’t have much longer to be on this Earth. I let the team know. Obviously they wasn’t trying to let me leave, but that was the only thing I had left — to retire. So I retired.”

Smith said that his grandmother and father also passed away soon after his mother died, and got emotional when asked about why he decided to return to action this year.

“This is my happy place,” Smith said. “Come back, play football. I was in a dark place, but, you know, coming out, running out on the field, the fans — not just the fans, man, the joy that I get from winning and just getting sacks.”

“One of the most moving press conferences I’ve ever been a part of….” sports anchor and reporter Kinsey Lee posted on X.

“Can’t stand the Falcons but I damn near cried watching this. Hope he kills it this season,” one fan commented.

“Much respect,” said another.

Smith with Falcons after flirting with Browns

Smith’s move to the Falcons reunites him with head coach Kevin Stefanski, whom he previously played under in Cleveland.

The news comes after reports claimed the 33-year-old linebacker was expected to sign with the struggling Browns.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team hosted Smith for a tryout on Thursday, and it ‘proved to be a fit for both sides.’

He spent a season and a half with the team from 2023 to 2024.

Smith was expected to return to the Browns on Sunday, with Cabot reporting that ‘if all goes as planned, he should be under contract shortly thereafter.’

However, later in the day, he appeared to dispute that report.

“I have another workout tomorrow morning with a different team! Who told you to post this?” Smith asked, in a comment on social media.

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He deleted his comment soon after posting.

Smith joins a Falcons front that previously lost Jalon Walker for the season due to injury and James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games due to a league suspension.

Smith has 70.5 sacks, 87 tackles for a loss and 10 forced fumbles in his career to date.

He was named a Pro Bowler during the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and again in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings.