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Why Nolan Smith is fueled by Georgia shipyards, life 'on the port' while emerging into one of Eagles' key postseason performers

January 16, 2025

Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the second half in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Nolan Smith could be on the shipyards in Savannah, Georgia “latching down boats.” He might frame it as “supposed to be,” which is a nod to his hometown and where his family works, although he’s also 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical leap, bare hands that he calls weapons and is indefatigable whenever he’s playing defense for the Eagles.
Football was in the cards — he didn’t need to use his TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card. But he has one. And it’s the perspective he needs when an offensive tackle might seem overpowering or the winter freeze is bone-chilling or the sacks aren’t yet accumulating.
“In Savannah, Geor...

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