The grand stage of the NFL Draft 2023 witnessed some of the greatest talents in the country make a historic start to their careers. Getting a spot in the first round is always a cherished moment. All those hardships and determination bear fruit for players like Nolan Smith, who came a long way to hold the NFL jersey on this day. While it happens to be his special day, fans were keen to learn about the sacrifices his mother made in order to help him reach where he is today.
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The 22-year-old star from Georgia is no less than a celebrity. After all, it ain’t easy to get picked by the Super Bowl runner-ups in the first round. Nick Sirianni didn’t hesitate to cash in his 30th overall pick on this Georgia star when the whole world watched this moment curiously. More than the edge rusher, it was a great sense of fulfillment for his mother, Chakeima Thompson.
Nolan Smith had to face a lot of hardships in his early days
There is no debate over the fact that Smith happens to be a generational talent. A lot of credit goes to his mother, Chakeima, who raised him and his three other brothers as a single, independent mother. She used to work at the Savannah Enmark petrol station and struggled to make ends meet. Nolan, who often keeps his personal life in the private domain, made the revelation via an emotional Instagram post on May 9, 2021.
When he reached the 2022 College Football National Championship against Alabama, it was a huge achievement for the linebacker, and he showcased his gratitude on social media with a heartfelt message for his mother. She taught him to make a life of his own and encouraged him to pursue the game seriously.
Today, when the Eagles picked him in the first round, the amount of satisfaction Smith felt couldn’t be described in words. The youngster happens to be a prolific athlete, bolstering the defensive unit of the team he plays for.
He will join the Eagles squad that is already stacked with great talents and led the NFL with 70 sacks in 2022. Per NFL.com, Smith mesmerized everyone with his incredible 40-yard dash for 4.4 seconds and a 41-inch vertical in the combine day drills. It will be interesting to see how things turn out for him in the foreseeable future.
