A Super Bowl champion traded the gridiron for a Georgia jail cell. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith arrested on Friday night after authorities say he was caught driving 135 miles per hour on an interstate highway. The speed limit in that zone was 70 mph.
The Eagles linebacker speeding 135 mph case unfolded around 11 PM in Twiggs County, Georgia. According to jail records, the 25-year-old former first-round draft pick was booked for speeding in excess of maximum limits and reckless driving. The 6’7″, 250-pound athlete made bond approximately one hour later and was released.
A deputy with the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office allegedly clocked Smith driving 65 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The arrest report states the linebacker was operating a vehicle at 135 mph in a designated 70 mph zone on a Georgia interstate.
Smith has a court date scheduled for July. However, legal observers note he may not need to appear personally if he pays the associated fines tied to the citation. The charges are misdemeanor offenses, though reckless driving at this speed carries potential license suspension consequences.
Smith’s arrest adds to a growing list of driving-related incidents involving current and former University of Georgia football players. Several Bulldogs have been cited for speeding or street racing in recent years, raising questions about off-field behavior within the program.
On the field, Smith has delivered results. He won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025 and has accumulated 10.5 sacks across three professional seasons. The former Georgia standout was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has developed into a key rotational piece on Philadelphia’s defensive front.
The timing of the arrest is awkward but not season-threatening. With training camp still months away, Smith has time to resolve the legal matter before the Eagles begin their title defense. But for a franchise that values discipline, a 135 mph joyride is the kind of headline no front office wants to read about its young stars.
