LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at FedExField on November 4, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Alex Smith is attempting an incredible NFL comeback despite 17 surgeries after suffering a spiral break in his right leg. An ESPN doc has triggered major support.
Alex Smith isn’t giving up. Despite shattering his right leg as the Washington Redskins quarterback on Nov. 18, 2018, Smith is still hopeful he can return to an NFL field.
On Friday night, ESPN produced a wonderful documentary on his recovery entitled Project 11, an hour-long special via E:60. Although Smith almost lost his limb due to infection after the initial operation, he has progressed to the point of considering a legitimate attempt at strapping on the pads once more. He has three years left on his contract with the Redskins.
During and after the documentary aired, there was an outpouring of both support and wonderful towards Smith.
Smith’s career to this juncture has been quite the journey. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2005 by the San Francisco 49ers, Smith endured seven different offensive coordinators over his first seven campaigns before settling in with head coach Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman.
Despite bringing the 49ers to overtime of the 2011 NFC Championship Game and playing his best football through nine games in 2012, he lost his job to Colin Kaepernick after sustaining a concussion against the St. Louis Rams.
Smith was traded in the offseason to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he promptly reached the Pro Bowl three times. Smith helped lead the Chiefs to their first postseason win in 22 years, hammering the Houston Texans 30-0 in the 2015 Wild Card round.
Following the 2017 campaign, Smith was dealt to the Redskins for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick, making room in Kansas City for Patrick Mahomes. Smith was 6-3 during his first season with the Redskins before his leg injury. He has not played since.