Eagles OLB Nolan Smith Jr. Apologizes for 135 MPH Speeding Arrest

Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. issued a public apology Monday following his May 15 arrest for driving 135 mph in a 70 mph zone.

Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. addressed the media on Monday to issue a formal apology for his May 15 arrest involving speeding and reckless driving. According to records from the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office in Georgia, authorities clocked the 25-year-old defender traveling at 135 mph in a 70 mph zone on the interstate. The incident occurred at 10:41 p.m., leading to citations that the third-year veteran described as "unacceptable" during his first public comments since the encounter.

Smith confirmed he personally apologized to Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie regarding the matter. The 2023 first-round draft pick stated that he represents the organization regardless of his location in Georgia or Florida and expressed a commitment to avoid repeating such mistakes. A court date for the case was originally scheduled for July 14, though Smith noted he was not required to appear in person provided he paid the associated fines. On Monday, the linebacker told reporters that "nothing came from" the arrest following those legal steps.

Defensive Production and Statistical Impact

On the field, Smith has accumulated 10.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, and 10 tackles for loss during his three seasons with the Philadelphia franchise. His most productive regular season occurred in 2024, when he recorded 6.5 sacks. During the Eagles' subsequent Super Bowl run, the outside linebacker added four more sacks in postseason play. These contributions followed his collegiate career at Georgia, where he was a primary component of a dominant defensive unit.

Smith’s arrival in Philadelphia reunited him with several former college teammates, including Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, and Jordan Davis. The linebacker emphasized that his teammates hold him to a high level of accountability both on and off the field, noting that he felt he had let them down through his actions in May. He reiterated that owning up to the error was necessary because he is expected to maintain professional standards at all times.

Legal Timeline and Resolution

The Twiggs County Sheriff's Office documented the high-speed violation as occurring late in the evening on a Wednesday. While the July 14 court date served as the deadline for legal resolution, Smith’s comments on Monday indicated that the matter has been settled through the payment of citations. The linebacker stressed that he must be mindful of his conduct, stating that he cannot allow such incidents to happen again while representing the NFL organization.

Smith continues to be a focal point of the Eagles' pass rush after being selected in the opening round of the 2023 NFL draft. His career totals reflect a consistent presence in the backfield, highlighted by the 25 hits he has delivered to opposing quarterbacks since entering the league. As the team moves forward, Smith indicated his focus remains on meeting the expectations set by the front office and his peers in the locker room.