Falcons' Za'Darius Smith retired last year due to mother's health

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- New Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith opened up Wednesday for the first time about why he suddenly retired during last season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Smith, who the Falcons signed last week, said in a news conference that he got a call from his mother's doctor last year and was informed that his mother did not have much longer to live. Smith said he wanted to leave the Eagles at that point, and his only recourse was to retire.

Smith, 33, played five games last season in Philadelphia. After retiring in October, Smith said his mother died. Then, his grandmother and father died, too.

"I was in a dark place," Smith said.