Alex Smith announces his retirement after 16 seasons
Apr 19, 2021, 9:55 AM
Free agent quarterback Alex Smith announced he is retiring via Instagram on Monday morning, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Alex Smith announced he is retiring on IG.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 19, 2021
The 2020 Comeback Player of the Year played 16 seasons in the league.
“Two years ago I was stuck in a wheelchair, staring down at my mangled leg, wondering if I would ever be able to go on a walk again or play with my kids in the yard,” Smith said in his Instagram retirement video. “On a routine play, I almost lost everything. But football wouldn’t let me give up. Because, no, this isn’t just a game. It’s not just what happens between those white lines on a Sunday afternoon. It’s about the challenges and the commitment they require. It’s about how hard and how far you can push yourself. It’s about the bond between those 53 guys in the locker room and everybody else in the organization. It’s about fully committing yourself to something bigger.”
Smith was the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft and played for the San Francisco, Kansas City Chiefs and most recently the Washington Football Team.
The 36-year-old Smith was spotlighted by a handful of Fan hosts to be a “perfect fit” to join the Denver Broncos and help teach young quarterback Drew Lock.