HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs away from the tackle of John Simon #51 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter of their game at NRG Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Alex Smith appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week for the first time in six years and the third time in his career. However, the photo is of the Redskins signal caller being taken down by Clay Matthews.
This is the first time a Washington player has appeared on the cover since Robert Griffin III during his 2013 sophomore season. Smith was traded to Washington this season for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
The cover shot is part of the magazine’s dive into the NFL’s questionable roughing-the-passer calls this season. After a noticeable increase in calls and confusion over how defenders should tackle quarterbacks, multiple players have come to criticize the rule.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Jakob Butturff, an eight-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion who called Arizona home, died unexpectedly…
The San Francisco 49ers have confirmed that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will undergo season-ending surgery…
Dillon Brooks has never been shy about the rivals he's made around the NBA, but…
Billy Ray Smith Jr., the College Football Hall of Fame linebacker who became one of…
Taysom Hill's nine-year run in the New Orleans Saints is over. The versatile utility man…
The WNBA found itself in an awkward spot Wednesday night after posting — and then…