NFL

Alex Smith retires after comeback from gruesome leg injury

Apr 19, 2021, 9:30 AM | Updated: 9:51 am

Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the fir...

Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Alex Smith is retiring from the NFL after making an improbable comeback from a broken leg.

Smith announced his retirement Monday on Instagram, saying he still has plenty of snaps left in him but is calling it quits to enjoy time with his family. He turns 37 on May 7.

Smith earned AP Comeback Player of the Year honors for getting back on the field last season, two years removed from his gruesome injury that required 17 operations.

Washington released Smith in March and signed veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during free agency. Smith initially expressed his intent to keep playing but decided not to pursue another contract.

Smith was the No. 1 overall pick in 2005 and played 14 seasons for San Francisco, Kansas City and Washington. He threw for 35,650 yards and 199 touchdowns in 174 regular-season games and played in seven playoff games.

Smith broke his right tibia and fibula in November 2018 against Houston. He was hospitalized for almost a month and survived a life-threatening infection in addition to the operations.

He spent the next year and a half rehabbing and was back at practice when Washington assembled for training camp last summer. His first game action came in relief in October when Kyle Allen was injured, and he made his first start at Detroit weeks later.

Smith was 5-1 as a starter in 2020, including a victory at Philadelphia in Week 17 on a strained right calf that clinched the NFC East title for Washington. The injury prevented Smith from playing against Tampa Bay in the wild-card round the next week.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

NFL

Chris Mortensen...

Associated Press

Chris Mortensen, award-winning NFL journalist for ESPN, died Sunday morning

Chris Mortensen, the award-winning journalist who covered the NFL for close to four decades, died Sunday morning.

7 months ago

Dan Bickley

Patrick Mahomes moves closer to GOAT status with each playoff win

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to climb the ladder toward Tom Brady's title of GOAT with each playoff win.

8 months ago

Isiah Pacheco...

Associated Press

Chiefs advance to 6th straight AFC title game after another classic with Bills

The Kansas City Chiefs advanced to their sixth straight AFC championship game with a win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.

9 months ago

Head coach Todd Bowles...

Associated Press

Lions defeat Buccaneers to reach NFC championship for 2nd time in franchise history

The Lions beat the Buccaneers in a divisional-round playoff game on Sunday, lifting the long-suffering franchise into the NFC championship.

9 months ago

Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs off the field after defeating the Philadelphia E...

Associated Press

Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White lead Buccaneers’ dismantling of Eagles

Baker Mayfield led the resurgent Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 32-9 wild-card playoff victory over defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.

9 months ago

Josh Allen...

Associated Press

Josh Allen, Bills push through elements in win over Steelers

The Buffalo Bills beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in a wild-card playoff game that was postponed a day because of a lake-effect blizzard.

9 months ago

Alex Smith retires after comeback from gruesome leg injury