Players and fans spent time thinking about Alex Smith’s 16-year NFL career after announcing his retirement Monday, but no one has had a better – or more embarrassing – story than quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. the Washington Football Team.
Fitzpatrick inquired about Smith’s retirement while recording the podcast “Green Light” with retired defender Chris Long. The conversation they quickly switched to Smith, and Fitzpatrick had nothing but wonderful things to say about him.
“Everywhere he went, he made the team better,” Fitzpatrick said of Smith, his 2005 rival.
Then Fitz decided to reveal what he called ‘one of my biggest regrets to date’. He texted Smith after his catastrophic leg injury in 2018, calling it ‘the worst text I’ve ever sent’.
“When Alex broke his leg in that game a few years ago, I think I had a similar injury: I broke my tibia in 2014 with the Houston Texans,” Fitzpatrick said. ‘So, the worst text I’ve ever sent, I sent it to Alex. I said, ‘Hey, Alex, just want to let you know they’re fixing you, you’ll be fine as new. I’m out here and I feel no pain from my injury three years later. ‘
‘And I sent it and felt good about it, and he said’ Well, mine might be a little more complicated. ‘And 17 surgeries later, and the story of what he had to overcome, I feel like the biggest a hole. ‘
Smith’s response is incredible. It was such a friendly and diplomatic thing to say while dealing with a gruesome leg injury that could end his career.
Fitz concluded his story by sending more love to Smith for his incredible return in 2020, which made him feel significantly better about sending the text.
“What he did last year was incredible for him to get back on the field, and I was very happy after sending the text that he did not lose his leg.”
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