Longtime fullback Alex Smith announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday.
Smith, who played 16 seasons in the league, was honored as the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year after returning to the field after suffering a devastating leg injury in 2018, which required 17 surgeries.
Smith, who turns 37 in May, made the announcement on his Instagram in a heartwarming video.
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“Two years ago, I was staring at a wheelchair and staring at my broken leg, wondering if I would ever be able to walk again or play with my kids in the garden,” Smith said in the video. “In a normal way, I lost almost everything. But football does not give me courage. Because no, it’s not just a match. This is not just what happens on a Sunday afternoon between the white lines.
“It’s about the challenges and the dedication it requires. It’s about how hard and how far you can push yourself. It’s about the bond between the 53 guys in the locker room and everyone in the organization. It’s about yourself fully committed to something greater. “
Smith, who started six games for the Washington Football Team last year, led the team to a 5-1 record and the NFC East title. The season came to an end with a 31-23 loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoff round of the playoffs.
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“So, to everyone out there. Whether you’re part of Niner Nation, the Chiefs Kingdom or the burgundy and gold, I thank you,” Smith said. “Thank you to all the men I had the privilege of standing with and playing with, I want to say thank you for believing in me, and thank you for helping me believe in myself.”
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Smith, the no. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, ended his career with 35,650 passing yards, 199 touchdowns and 109 distinctions. He was a three-time Pro Bowler while playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Football Team.