ATLANTA — Following a strong debut for the Falcons, Za’Darius Smith is ready for Atlanta’s home opener against their NFC South rivals Carolina Panthers.
And he’ll have extra motivation in the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.
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Smith told reporters on Tuesday that he is organizing a trip for 45 people from his hometown church in Montgomery, Ala. to attend the game. Smith is doing this in his memory of his mother who died earlier this year.
“It’s something my mom always wanted. I got a Greyhound bus pulling up to my church to bring them up for the game,” Smith said.
The Falcons defensive end opened up in August about losing his mother. Smith said he got a call about his mother’s health last year and decided to retire from NFL to take care of her. Shortly after her death, Smith lost his grandmother and father.
He wasn’t sure if he would play football again as he dealt with personal tragedy. Then, he decided to workout again and got the Falcons’ attention.
Smith said his mother always wanted him to play in Atlanta. He signed a one-year contract with the team.
“This is my happy place. Come back, play football. I was in a dark place. But you know, coming out, running out the field, the fans, not only just the fans, the joy that I get from winning and getting sacks,” Smith said in August.
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In his debut on Sunday, he finished with three tackles and a pair of sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers and his former Green Bay Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers.
Smith took a moment on Tuesday to reflect on his first game back since he lost his parents and grandmother.
“Not being about to call my folks and tell them what I did on the field,” Smith said. “My mom always used to talk about Aaron Rodgers ... She was like ‘Go get Aaron Rodgers. Get him on the ground.’ And I had the opportunity to do that. That was the only sad part. I couldn’t call her and talk to her about it.”
Now, he’ll get the chance to play for his family in front of their friends on Sunday.
“That’s going to be big for me. Excited for that and can’t wait.”
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