Alex Smith's return to the field in 2020 marked a comeback that seemed impossible at one point in time. His story is one of relentless pursuit to return to play the game he loved. He achieved that in 2020, helping lead the Washington Football Team to an improbable NFC East crown. Now, after a 16-year career, Alex Smith is hanging up the cleats.
Smith announced his decision in a goosebump worthy Instagram video on Monday.
The move came as rumors had started to swirl that Smith may reunite with former college coach Urban Meyer in Jacksonville to help mentor the likely No. 1 overall pick, Trevor Lawrence. Instead, Alex Smith has opted to call it a career.
Smith was the No. 1 overall pick himself, selected by the San Francisco 49ers back in 2005. He played for three different teams throughout his career: the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Football Team. Smith made three pro-bowl teams (all with the Chiefs) in 2013, 2016 and 2017.
Alex Smith really blossomed under Andy Reid in Kansas City before the Chiefs opted to draft a quarterback by the name of Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft. Like his situation in San Francisco with Colin Kaepernick where the writing was on the wall that his days were numbered with the 49ers, it became apparent the same would happen when he was on the Chiefs.
Smith finishes his career with 199 touchdowns compared to 109 interceptions. As a starting quarterback, he complied a record of 99-67-1, which is far better than what many realize given the harsh critiques he received throughout his career amid the pressure of being a No. 1 overall pick.
Alex Smith will perhaps best be remembered by the final chapter that was written in his career. After his gruesome leg injury that nearly cost him his leg and then his life, Smith not only learned how to start from scratch with walking again, but he returned to the huddle as an NFL starting quarterback.
A tip of the cap to Alex Smith on a great career.
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