Arthur Smith expresses 'love and appreciation' for Falcons players in team meeting after firing

Atlanta Falcons heads coach Arthur Smith looks up at the scoreboard in the closing moment of his team's 37-17 loss to the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Arthur Smith was back at the Atlanta Falcons’ practice facility on Monday morning for a final meeting with his players after he was fired late Sunday night.

Smith had the support of the players but that was not enough to overcome a third consecutive 7-10 finish. The coaching change was announced at midnight, so Monday’s meeting was an opportunity to say goodbye.

“Most of us already knew,” rookie defensive lineman Zach Harrison said Monday. “Just having the chance for him to get up there and address us and tell us the last couple of things he wanted to say before he left. It meant a lot to me that he stood up there and looked us all in the eye and told us some things.”