Former UK star Za’Darius Smith did the best thing for his mother after signing massive deal with Packers
By SDS Staff
Published:
Former Kentucky star Za’Darius Smith signed a four-year, $66 million free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers.
What he did next is what everyone is talking about.
Per Packers.com team writer Wes Hodkiewicz, Smith drove 14 hours to tell his mother that she can now retire.
“She works at the Butler County (Ala.) correctional facility,” Smith said. “She’s been there for like 22 years, and she worked with a lot of inmates, so sometimes that can be a headache. To get there and see her, bags packed, it was a wonderful feeling to tell mom she can quit working.”
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Smith in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft (No. 122 overall), and he’s lived up to it and more. In four-career seasons with the Ravens, Smith racked up 119 tackles, including 18.5 sacks.
It’s been well publicized that Smith didn’t start playing organized football until his senior year of high school — he loved basketball, and he’s certainly developed into one of the best NFL pass rushers.
That’s quite the story.
Za’Darius Smith drove 14 hours to tell his mom he was signing with #Packers.
“I said, Ma, you ready to quit working? She said, ‘My bag is already packed.’”
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) March 14, 2019
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
