Growing up, Donovan Smith was a Jets fan. It was almost inevitable. Coming from New York, it was his dream to play for the team. Who wouldn’t want to have their name and number on their hometown’s jersey? That idea was deep-rooted because the kid from Long Island got to see the playoff of the early 2000s. So, when he made it to the NFL, he always hoped to make it to the Jets.

Alas, that never took place. And never will. After starting his career in Tampa Bay and staying there for eight seasons, playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, the veteran offensive tackle is ready to hang up his cleats. He announced this on social media.

“Dear Football, when I first started out this journey in 7th grade, I didn’t know what the other side would hold. With dedication, self-awareness, hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, treating people with kindness and respect, and capitalizing on the opportunities presented to me, I was able to gain more from the game than I could imagine.

“Football has made me feel and experience every emotion imaginable. It has also equipped me with lifelong lessons and tools on how to cope and deal with all things life may throw your way. It’s allowed me to grow in my faith, maturation as a man, brother, father, son, and servant to my community.

“I’ve gained lifelong friendships with people in the locker rooms I’ve walked and people behind the scenes that day in and day out make us, as athletes, the best we can be to be able to run out that tunnel on game days and perform. It has blessed me with a college degree and the abilities and resources to provide for my family and more. Thank you to all that has helped me through the years along my football career.”

Though the Chiefs were only a small part of his journey, that one season was significant. He won his second Super Bowl with them.

“I get to HOLD 2 fingers up with rings,” the veteran wrote on X back then, celebrating his latest win with the Chiefs and also reliving the first time he won the Super Bowl in 2020 with Tampa Bay.

Smith signed with the Chiefs in 2023 on a one-year contract, but injuries held him to 12 starts during the regular season. When the playoffs arrived, though, he never came off the field, playing every snap as Kansas City went on to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

That achievement placed him among a select group of starting left tackles to win titles with two franchises. He wrapped up his career with 136 starts. But having already missed the 2024 and 2025 seasons, his retirement announcement simply confirmed what had effectively been the case for some time.

Given his contributions to the sport, many from the football world wished him the best.

NFL world showers OT with love as he announces retirement

Longtime teammate and fellow 2015 draftee, former Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston, made sure to send his friend off with a kind message. “Peace and Blessings Bro!🙏🏾” Donovan Smith protected Winston’s blindside for four years. Their bond runs strong even now, which was evident in Smith’s reply: “Love always my guy.”

“Congrats big dawg!!” Lavonte David wrote. He spent his whole career with the Buccaneers. He and Smith won the 2020 Super Bowl together.

“Congrats brother!! 🫡” Tristan Wirfs wrote. Wirfs is Smith’s brother on the gridiron. For the Buccaneers, Smith and Wirfs were tasked with protecting Tom Brady. No wonder Smith also posted a picture of them together on his retirement post carousel. But the wishes didn’t end here.

Kansas City teammates also sent their well-wishes to Smith on this new chapter. Defensive end Charles Omenihu wrote, “Hell of a player bro and elite teammate enjoy retirement fam!”

Cornerback Jaylen Watson commented, “Blessings brotha honored to share the field w you.”

Also sending him well wishes was offensive tackle and Chiefs teammate, Jawaan Taylor. He used to line up opposite Donovan Smith at right tackle, making this a duo that troubled opposing defenses. “Congratulations on a fantastic career big bro!”

As Smith closes the book on a nine-year career, he does so with a rare distinction: a championship ring on each hand, won with two different legendary quarterbacks.

Smith’s NFL journey protecting Tom Brad and Patrick Mahomes

Smith’s NFL journey began in 2015, when the Buccaneers drafted him in the second round. In his rookie season, he was part of 100% of the snaps, and the PFWA named him to the All-Rookie Team. He spent eight seasons in Tampa Bay and won Super Bowl LV. It was NFL legend Tom Brady who led the offense that year.

This was Smith’s best season with the team. In the 136 career games he started, 124 of them came from his time at Tampa Bay.

Further, he was with the franchise for two more years before signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs. The former OT also won Super Bowl LVIII in his debut season with the team, despite starting in only 12 games. He made his impact known very well in that season, allowing only Mahomes to be sacked only five times during the playoff run.

The QB was left to fend for himself next year when Smith missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a hip injury. Unfortunately, he remained unsigned in 2025 and announced his retirement this year.

And now that he has announced his retirement, his tenure will be remembered for his reliability and adaptability.