Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith’s decision to skip the 2019 season to focus on his health came as a surprise to many, and it would be fair to say it annoyed some fans as well.
On Saturday, Smith issued a message to those fans: chill out.
“Why is it so crazy I want to step away from the game?” Smith said on an Instagram story, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN. “Y’all just chill. Everything’s solid, you feel me? Stop going crazy. It’s getting aggravating. You feel me? Football ain’t everything. Y’all better wake the f— up.”
Some fans are going to be upset, as Smith is a key part of Jacksonville’s defense and his absence will definitely hurt the team. However, Smith offered a very clear explanation for his decision, and he has every right to make a decision like this — and defend that decision from the criticism that will come with it.
