PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 03: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
On Monday, quarterback Alex Smith announced his retirement with an Instagram video post. The video featured himself narrating his experience with his infamous leg injury that nearly ended his career due to a life-threatening bacteria. Smith said that he will step away to enjoy other things in life with his kids and wife.
“Even though I’ve got plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I’ve got, I can’t wait to see what else is possible,” Smith said. “But first, I’ll take a little time to enjoy a few of those walks with my wife, and my kids have no idea what’s coming for them in the backyard.”
Before his retirement announcement, Smith had received offers and talks from multiple teams. The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the teams interested in the quarterback. The Jaguars hoped to reunite Smith with his former college coach Urban Meyer. The Jaguars offered the quarterback a contract, but Jacksonville general manager Trent Baalke wanted Smith to sign a special waiver for his leg. Baalke suggested to the quarterback that other teams will do the same.
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Other teams such as the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles were interested in his services. However, one thing that remained constant in all talks with different teams were questions about Smith’s condition. It was then the quarterback realized that it was better to leave football on his own terms.
Smith was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2005 and played for them until 2012. Smith signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and became a three-time Pro Bowler with them. The veteran then joined the Washington Football Team in 2018. That same year, he suffered the leg injury that required 17 surgeries and nearly amputated his leg. The Pro Bowler missed the 2019 season to rehab and made a comeback last season. Last season, Smith went 5-1 and led the team to the playoffs, earning the NFL Comeback Player of The Year Award on the way.
Last month, Washington released the quarterback.
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