Nolan Smith apologized in his first public comments since an offseason arrest for speeding and reckless driving.
Smith was cited for driving 135 mph on a Georgia interstate on May 15. The Philadelphia Eagles linebacker had a court date set for July 14, but he didn't need to appear if paying the associated fines.
Per the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff Neiburg, Smith told reporters Monday that "nothing came from" his arrest. He took responsibility for his actions and said he's apologized to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie.
"I apologized to the organization, and I'll make that apology now," Smith said. "I represent the Eagles no matter where I go, Georgia, Florida, it doesn't matter. That's one of the ones that I own up and I apologize for. It's just like that. We make mistakes and it can't happen again and that's unacceptable. I did apologize to Howie, I did apologize to Mr. Lurie, and I can't let my teammates down like that. They hold me to a different accountability on and off the field."
Smith's 2026 outlook
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Smith was also arrested for a driving incident while playing for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2022. He was charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding in a construction zone, allegedly going 89 mph in a 55-mph area.
The Eagles drafted Smith with the No. 30 pick in 2023, reuniting him with former college teammates Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Keele Ringo. He made a huge impact in their 2024 championship run, compiling four postseason sacks and two quarterback hits in their blowout Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Smith didn't carry over that success into a Year 3 breakthrough, tallying three sacks and a forced fumble in 12 games last season. The Eagles still conveyed confidence in the 25-year-old edge rusher by exercising Smith's fifth-year option in April.
After missing time last year with a triceps injury, Smith is eager to play a full season.
"Down by down, play by play, just play football, play free," Smith said. "It's a game you loved as a kid, it was taken away from me for six weeks last year, and I'm just happy to be able to play. Kind of just think about what my mama used to tell me: 'You don’t make no plays, you don't eat.'"
