The 2024 regular season was a tough one for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, marked by challenges and setbacks. Despite missing four games due to various injuries, which led to a career-low 833 receiving yards and 89 targets, Smith’s resilience shone through in the postseason. During the Eagles’ run to Super Bowl LIX, the Alabama product delivered, catching 16 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown, proving his worth on the biggest stage.
Smith saved his best performance for the Super Bowl, where the Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs with a 40-22 victory in New Orleans, his hometown. His standout moment came late in the third quarter with a 46-yard touchdown reception that effectively sealed the game. The significance of playing in front of his home crowd, including his grandfather who rarely attends games, added a deeply personal layer to the triumph.
Reflecting on the experience during minicamp practice, Smith struggled to articulate the emotions that overwhelmed him. “The emotion, I really don’t know,” he said. “I just kind of came out of the tunnel, and it kind of hit me. I guess it was just the feeling of being back home. My grandfather doesn’t come up here for games, so him being able to see me in the NFL, the biggest game there is, and him just being him there, think that kind of set in with me.”
In the closing moments of the Eagles’ commanding win, Smith’s emotions spilled over as he shared a heartfelt embrace with quarterback Jalen Hurts. The moment underscored the passion and heart he has brought to the Eagles since being drafted in 2021. While All-Pro A.J. Brown may be the team’s primary receiving target, Smith remains an indispensable part of the offense and a vital heartbeat of the franchise.