Adam Wesley-USA TODAY NETWORK/Wisconsin
A fourth-round pick out of Kentucky back in 2015, former Baltimore Ravens pass rusher Za’Darius Smith earned a decent paycheck during his first four seasons in the NFL.
But as a mid-round selection, he wasn’t one of the highest-paid players in the league.
That’s changed to an extent since Smith, 26, signed a four-year, $66 million deal with the Green Bay Packers in free agency. The contract called for a $20 million signing bonus.
Smith is now using said money to do the best possible thing — buy his mother a new home.
We’ve seen this story repeated over and over again. Young professional athletes paying respects to those who helped them get to where they are today.
For Smith, it’s been a bit more of a convoluted story. He was not a high-round pick. Smith didn’t receive the necessary cash on his rookie deal to show this love to his mother.
Now, a newly rich individual, Smith is out here making sure that she knows how he feels.
This is such a great story. Kudos to you, Mr. Smith.