Chiefs, Buccaneers Super Bowl champion announces retirement from NFL
· Yahoo Sports
Donovan Smith, a two-time Super Bowl champion who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is retiring from the NFL.
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According to a post on his Instagram, long-time Buccaneers and former Chiefs offensive tackle Donovan Smith is retiring from the NFL.
Smith reminisced on his journey to the NFL, which started in seventh grade, in his announcement
“When I first started out this journey in 7th grade, I didn’t know what the other side would hold. With dedication, self-awareness, hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, treating people with kindness and respect, and capitalizing on the opportunities presented to me, I was able to gain more from the game than I could imagine,” he said.
He was thankful for all of the great relationships he formed during his career and now looks forward to “the new doors that will be opened for me on the other side of retirement.”
“I’ve gained lifelong friendships with people in the locker rooms I’ve walked and people behind the scenes that day in and day out make us, as athletes, the best we can be to be able to run out that tunnel on game days and perform. It has blessed me with a college degree and the abilities and resources to provide for my family and more. Thank you to all that has helped me through the years along my football career,” Smith concluded.
Donovan Smith’s college career
Sep 14, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tackle Donovan Smith (76) stretches prior to the game against the Central Florida Knights at Beaver Stadium. Central Florida defeated Penn State 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Smith played his college ball at Penn State, where he was a star left tackle for the Nittany Lions and one of the best at his position in the country over three seasons.
After the 2014 campaign, Smith decided it was time to make the jump to the NFL.
Donovan Smith’s NFL career
Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Donovan Smith (79) on field against the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Smith was originally a second-round pick of the Buccaneers in 2015.
He spent eight seasons with the Bucs, starting in all 124 games he appeared in and serving as a stalwart at left tackle in that span.
Smith won a Super Bowl with the Bucs during the 2020 season while protecting the blindside of legendary quarterback Tom Brady.
The Penn State product moved on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 and notched his second Super Bowl ring, which was also the second in a row for Kansas City.
“I get to HOLD 2 fingers up with rings,” he said after securing the Super Bowl victory.
Smith did not land with another team in 2024 and has instead sat out the past two years.
It was assumed he was already retired, but Smith did not make it official until Sunday.
While Smith will always be remembered for his contribution to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory, he will go down as a franchise great in Tampa Bay.