Telvin Smith is fed up with responses to his decision to skip out on the 2019-20 NFL season.
The Jaguars linebacker posted on social media Thursday to let people know he was stepping away and that there's more to life than football. After receiving feedback he deemed to be unnecessary, he followed up on Saturday.
"Why is it so crazy I want to step away from the game?" Smith said in Instagram post, via 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."
The 28-year-old initially said he put his professional career on hold in order to focus on his family and health, and he's standing by that commitment.
"It was said to me from a great coach, that in order for the man to be his best, he must get his world in order," Smith wrote in his announcement Thursday. "At this time I must take time away from this game & get my world in order. I must give this time back to myself, my family, & my health. I appreciate the support I will & will not get. I just ask y'all respect my decision to not play football this season."
Smith did not rule out returning in 2020 and said he would like to retire in Jacksonville when he hangs up his cleats and pads up for good.
Smith signed a four-year, $45 million extension with the Jaguars in 2017. In his five seasons with the Jaguars, he has 587 combined tackles with 7 1/2 sacks and nine interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.