Za'Darius Smith joined the Eagles a little over two weeks ago, and his big personality has already been on display on the field and in the locker room.
We caught up with Smith to ask the 11-year NFL veteran some light-hearted questions so Eagles fans can get to know him better!
You didn't play football until your senior year of high school. What led to that?
Smith: Me playing AAU basketball. Being from a small town (Montgomery, Alabama), knowing that I was the tallest from my hometown, and then playing AAU ball to see guys who at my position was 7-foot tall, 7-2, 7-3. [I got] no rebounds, blocked shots, so I figured I wasn't gonna get any scholarships, so that's what made me go play football.
I know it's kind of a big thing in the locker room and I know you've only been here for two weeks, but who do you think the best hooper on the team is?
Smith: You looking at him. But nah who could I say? Smitty (DeVonta Smith), yeah that's who I'm thinking of. Smitty, for sure.
What is your favorite thing to do off the field?
Smith: Be with my kids and just be on my land [in Orlando]. Be able to milk the cows and play with the dogs and get the chickens from out of the chicken coop.
How long have you been doing that?
Smith: Since 2020. Yeah, it came with the house. I had to find a way to not spend as much money.
Has it been hard?
Smith: Somewhat. At first it was like the milking and getting the chickens out of chicken coop, [just] being able just to grab them gently now. Other than that, it's cool.
Do you have any random talents?
Smith: I know how to play the piano. I learned that in church. I grew up in Harrison Street Baptist Church, so I had to be in a choir. So it was either the drums or the piano.
Do you sing at all?
Smith: Nah, but everybody who I talk to tells me I should sing because I sound like Barry White.
Do you watch reality TV?
Smith: Yeah, my girlfriend (Kash Doll) is on Reasonable Doubt. So that's now my favorite show.
Do you have a biggest fear?
Smith: Jumping out of an airplane. Skydiving. [It would cost] $150 billion.
Have you done anything Philly-centric since you got here?
Smith: Went to Chickie's & Pete's and ate some crab legs and some regular crabs. That was my first time really eating crabs. Old Bay, with the butter. [I went] with the D-Linemen.
Favorite thing on Disney Channel?
Smith: What's so crazy, it was, "That's So Raven."
Last one, after you're done playing football, are you going to stay on the farm, what are you going to do?
Smith: I love the game so much, so I may go start a peewee team for my son and just coach him up to be a great. And be in the cheerleading stands to watch my little girl be a cheerleader.
