Alex Smith will be making his comeback complete this weekend. The Washington Football Team named him the starting quarterback for their upcoming game against the Detroit Lions.
Smith has bounced around a bit after being the number one overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft. He had some troubles in San Francisco, struggling to hold onto the starting job. Eventually, the quarterback role went to Colin Kaepernick.
Then, Smith went to the Kansas City Chiefs, where Smith saw most of his career success. He even entered the MVP conversation in 2017. However, Smith was halfway out the door once the team drafted Patrick Mahomes.
After that, Smith was traded to Washington. They had a 6-3 record when they entered their game against the Houston Texans, where he suffered a major injury that nearly ended his career and almost cost him the ability to walk again.
Recap of Injury
Smith’s return to the field is a big deal because of how gruesome his injury was. He was sacked by J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson in the third quarter. Smith’s teammates knew the injury was severe and immediately called for trainers.
“I was watching the entire play,” said Vernon Davis, a Washington tight end at the time. “I saw him go down, and the way he went down, I balled my fists up because it looked brutal. Then when he took his helmet off, it was, ‘Aaaahhh.’ One of those plays. Have to keep pushing — keep him in our prayers and take him with us out there on the field.”
After the compound leg fracture, infection of the injury led to sepsis. Smith then needed 17 surgeries to prevent his leg from being amputated. That he’s even on the field at all is a miracle.
Ready to Play
Now, Smith will return to the field as the starter for the Washington Football Team. At 36 years old, he’s proving that all of the hard work was worth it. Smith’s story is incredible, especially with all of the rehab that had to take place for him to get back on the field.
He talked to military veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center about his return to football and the mindset that got him through the recovery process.
“Try to be as positive as possible,” Smith said. “We all have our dark days. … It’s tough. Everybody knows some days are great, and some days are really, really tough and frustrating.”
“It’s about embracing what life brings at you. The good, the bad, and the in-between.”
Smith’s efforts to get back on the field haven’t gone unnoticed around the league, and he should be a unanimous pick for the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Playoff Hopefuls
To add to his return, Washington isn’t entirely out of the postseason conversation. Luckily for them, they are in a historically-lousy conference.
The Eagles are in first place in the NFC East with a 3-4-1 record. Washington finds themselves in second place with only two wins.
This game against the Lions could be huge for this team. Detroit has not been playing well and is only a 4.5-point favorite in this one.
The story could get even better if the Washington Football Team can pick up a win with Smith under center. If Philadelphia loses to the Giants, the NFC East playoff race will get even more interesting.