Jacksonville Jaguars will enter the next NFL Season without their Pro Bowl linebacker Telvin Smith, who decided he will not play football in 2019. Smith announced his decision on social media, while leaving possibility to return to NFL at some point after this year.
According to Smith, he walks away from football in order to focus on his health and his family.
Telvin Smith did not participate in the Jaguars’ offseason activities and decided not spoke to the organization and inform them personally about the decision. Still, Jags’ head coach Doug Marrone told the media that Smith has the team’s support in case he decides to reach out.
“I kind of put football to the side,” – said Marrone on Friday. “I think that [football], to me, is an afterthought right now. I really believe in my heart that Telvin knows that we’re here to support him in any which way — not just myself, the coaches, the organization, his teammates, and I’m sure he’s aware of that.”
Smith was drafted in the fifth round of 2014 NFL Draft and has since became a key piece in Jacksonville’s defense that ranks as one of the best in the league. During his five years in NFL he managed to rack up 445 solo tackles, which are most by any player in the same period. He is other career stats include 7.5 sacks, 26 passes defended, nine interceptions and three defensive touchdowns. His other career highlights include one Pro Bowl appearance and one Second-Team All-Pro honor.
