VIDEO: Packers LB Za'Darius Smith Rocks Reggie White Jersey for Packers' Trip to NFC Championship
By Sam Dunn
If there's one name that's synonymous with sacktastic sackification in a Packer uniform -- all apologies to Clay Matthews -- it's Reggie White, the one and only Minister of Defense. Through his years with Philadelphia and Green Bay, the Hall of Famer made 13 All-Pro Teams and 13 Pro Bowls, and is No. 2 all-time on the career NFL sacks list. With that in mind, there was no man's energy that it made more sense to channel heading into Sunday's NFC Championship than White's. Just ask fearsome Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith.
9️⃣2️⃣@TheRealZSmith paying tribute to Reggie White on the way to the NFC Championship Game ?#ThePackIsBack | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/S7MZ6Ran39
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 18, 2020
Lookin' good, Z.
Smith was a star coming off the edge this year. He capped his first regular season in Green Bay with 13.5 sacks, far and away his career high, and helped Mike Pettine's defense forge a new identity that was sorely needed.
Za'Darius Smith told us in the locker room that Aaron Rodgers told him last week "We have this opportunity to go all the way, and he was like I hope you guys can bring me my second ring." #Packers
— Ryan Rodig (@ryanrodigwfrv) January 13, 2020
Now, he's the 49ers' problem. And just as it was with Reggie White, trying to stop Za'Darius Smith will be no picnic.