Alex Smith’s 2018 broken leg could’ve ended his NFL career. However, he had a dream of stepping back on an NFL field again.
On November 18, 2018, during a game against the Houston Texans, Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture to his right leg. The injury was severe and required immediate medical attention. Smith underwent multiple surgeries to repair the injury and prevent infection. Complications arose during his recovery, including a serious infection that put his life at risk.
Smith’s recovery process was long and challenging. He faced numerous setbacks and underwent additional surgeries and treatments. However, he showed tremendous resilience and determination to return to the football field.
He rehabbed for nearly two years and dealt with 17 surgeries in order to play in the NFL once more.
In a recent advertisement, Smith shared a picture of himself enjoying life with his family since retiring after the 2021 season, but fans could not believe the state of his leg and how he truly ever made it back to the field.
Fans were in shock.
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Smith told ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” that he’s “very much lucky to be alive” during a 2020 interview. He made that declaration after a flesh-eating bacteria took hold and caused immense problems.
As a reaction to the infection, Smith was septic, meaning he was releasing a lot of chemicals into his blood to try and combat it.
If the medical professionals couldn’t clear up the infection, they were planning to amputate Smith’s right leg above the knee.
Smith became Washington’s starter midway through the 2021 season, leading the team to a division title and earning him NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Smith retired during the 2021 offseason after he was released by Washington. His return from injury is cited as among the greatest in NFL history.
