Born May 7th, 1983…drafted No.1 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2005…173 million-plus in career earnings…elite athlete…starting NFL quarterback…A husband…A father…the list goes on. For the purpose of this story, we’re going to focus on words like…stoutheartedness, strong-willed, strong-minded, moral fiber, pertinacity. All of which, no one would argue, accurately depicts the man who is…Alex Smith.
November 18, 2018
The day that changed everything…
Embed from Getty ImagesAt the time, Alex was the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins and had them sitting on top of the NFC East at 6-3. That all changed in the blink of an eye when going up against the Houston Texans. On a pressure look, Smith made a protection adjustment and then the unthinkable happened. Two Houston defenders, J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson tackled Smith, causing a compound and a spiral fracture to his right tibia and fibula, which at the time looked to be career-ending. Alex was determined to make sure it wasn’t but his road to recovery wouldn’t be easy and at times would seem, insurmountable.
Alex was immediately rushed into emergency surgery but the operation wouldn’t be his last. Doctors discovered Smith was suffering from a serious infection in his leg which later was revealed to have entered his bloodstream, he was now septic. If they didn’t act fast, he was in real danger of losing his leg or even worse…his life.
Alex would end up needing 17 surgeries.
The Decision
At first, it was just to repair his broken tibia and fibula. Then he needed daily operations to clean out the bacteria from his leg and stop the spread of infection. At one point his wife watched doctors trace the infection with a black sharpie all the way up to his thigh. At that point decisions needed to be made.
Do they continue to try and save his leg? Which at that point was ravaged with infection and every time the leg was operated on, more bone and more muscle were removed in an attempt to control it. Then skin grafts were needed which means skin and muscle had to be taken from his uninfected leg and potentially his back. After all that, there was still a chance of amputation.
Out of the multitude of doctors, specialist and even his family members, one person stayed adamant about staying the course and avoiding amputating: Alex.
“We all face adversity in life. It comes in different forms. Was I going to talk about it or be about it? However this comes out, I’m going to be better off for it,” Smith said. “I continue to make gains. I continue to get better, even in these last few weeks. For me, that continues to excite me, that I can keep pushing on. At some point, I’ll find out what my limitations are, but I haven’t found them yet.”
-Alex Smith clutchpoints.com
Rehabilitation
The injury was so unique, Smith’s physician Robin West had him take a trip to San Antonio to visit the Center for the Intrepid. A military health center that specializes in treating amputees. Once he received clearance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense he was granted permission to seek treatment.
At one point doctors were consulting with Smith and his wife Elizabeth when they proceeded to tell them he no longer has a sports injury, it’s more comparable to a military injury. He has what we would call a, “blast injury.”
Alex ended up finding a lot in common with the other wounded warriors at the Intrepid Center after spending countless hours rehabbing with them. They all either had an amputation or were attempting to salvage a limb like he was but mostly they shared determination. The same determination to get back to their respected battle-fields.
Conclusion
For Alex Smith, that day came this year on October, 11. Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams just ahead of the 2-minute warning in the first half.
Two years later, 17 surgeries, a grueling rehab process, multiple setbacks and he finally stepped back onto HIS battle-field. Something that multiple doctors, including his own physician, weren’t confident would be a reality.
Alex’s story is a story of resolve, perseverance, and the ultimate success. A story his wife and kids will forever be able to stand on and know they have a warrior in their corner. A story as a father myself I will be sure to pass on to my own children.
As 2020 comes to an end, a year with so much turmoil, racial injustice, confinement and so much out of the ordinary, it’s a story I wanted to personally shed light on.
It’s a story of how powerful the human spirit is and a REMINDER…that it still lives within all of us.
