Gracious to the very end, NFL star wide receiver Torrey Smith penned a poignant thank you note to the Philadelphia Eagles and the team’s fans after being traded to the Carolina Panthers earlier this week.
Smith’s leadership on and off the field played a big role in the Eagles’ run to their first Super Bowl title earlier this year and once again, showing him to be a man of great character even amidst trying times.
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As KYW-TV reported, the 29-year-old receiver caught 36 passes for 430 yards during the 2017-2018 season that ended with the Eagles edging out the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. According to reports, Smith, who had a $5 million option for 2018, would likely have been released by the team had he not been traded to Carolina.
To complement his work on the field, Smith became known for his work with underprivileged children in and around Philadelphia. As Faithwire has reported, Smith was fresh off the Super Bowl win when he paid a visit to a local school and surprised a Philly super-fan with a FaceTime call from injured Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. Smith was also part of the team leadership that made God and Christian virtues a hallmark of the lockeroom.
In the wake of the trade news, Smith took to Facebook on Friday to pay tribute to his coaches and teammates in Philly and thank the fans for their unwavering support.
https://www.facebook.com/TorreySmithWR/photos/a.714548308575569.1073741826.322768877753516/1829962560367466/?type=3&theater
I would like to thank the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization for the opportunity to represent this city. Mr. Lurie thank you for being the man that you are and genuinely caring about your players and the people of the city. To all of the coaching staff, Thank you! Coach Groh thank you for your leadership and energy this season. I would like to personally thank Joe Douglas and Andy Weidl for believing in me since day one and treating me like family. We are family forever. I would like to thank my teammates, the men I will miss the most. I have never had this much fun playing this game that we all love and it was all because of y’all. We had a great time, worked our tails off, and made each other better. To my brothers in the wide receiver room I thank you! Groh and Press challenged us and we did it. WHAT A YEAR! We played for each other and because of that we will fly high together forever! I will miss G and the equipment staff, Pat and the video crew, strength coaches, trainers, pr team, SOME media folks (Someone tell Howard that Lebron is the GOAT), community relations staff, chefs, and janitors. I appreciate your friendship. I would also like to thank Duece Staley and Dom. Y’all are two of the realist dudes alive! Lastly to Philadelphia. Thank you for embracing my family and me. I look forward to visiting my family in PA for the rest of my life knowing that WE did it! They can’t take that away from us! I have grown so much in my faith over the last year because of the men in that locker room. I will miss our Saturday night meetings and will always be grateful for that. Business is business and my time is up. I’m excited for another fresh start. Can’t wait to see what God has next for me! One last time #FlyEaglesFly
Commenters were quick to heap praise on the wide receiver, thanking him for his commitment to the team and the community.
“Always respectful! Such a great example for the young student athletes that look up to you,” Facebook user Jaimie Ashton wrote. “We are Torrey Smith fans no matter what jersey you wear.”