Former NFL star Alex Smith shows off ‘insane’ injuries to leg after multiple surgeries as fans gasp ‘he played on that’
NFL fans have been stunned to see the extent of former quarterback Alex Smith's leg injuries.
The former Kansas City Chiefs QB retired from football in 2021 after sixteen seasons in the league.
Smith suffered a fracture to his right tibia and fibula during a game against the Houston Texans in November 2018.
The 40-year-old developed necrotizing fasciitis and required 17 surgeries over a grueling 9-month period.
Smith wasn't expected to ever play football again, but somehow returned despite doctors initially fearing his leg would have to be amputated.
The ex-Utah star was handed the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after battling back from the horror injury to play in the 2020 season.
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He helped lead the Washington Commanders to the postseason upon his return to action in what would prove his final year in the NFL.
Smith is now a keen cyclist in retirement and last year biked 200 miles across Massachusetts for the Pan-Mass Challenge, per the Boston Herald.
He uploaded a snap of a ride on Sunday, showing off an accidental tan line.
"Probably should have put sunscreen on," he captioned the pic shared with his 88,000 Instagram followers.
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And NFL fans were stunned to see how the surgeries had left their mark on his right leg.
"Crazy he came back and played after that," wrote one fan on X in response to the snap.
"They should rename the comeback player award the Alex Smith Comeback Player of the Year," said another.
"Wow that's awful can he walk?" gasped a third.
"To think he made it to playoffs even with this injury," added a fourth.
Smith was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in 2005.
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He spent seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, before joining the Chiefs in 2013.
Smith reached three Pro Bowls and in 2017 was the NFL's passer rating leader.
Following his move to Washington and lengthy rehab, he was cleared by doctors to resume football activities in July 2020.
Smith went 5–1 during his starts in the following season and helped the Commanders reach the playoffs.
He threw for 162 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 20–14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles as Washington clinched the NFC East in a tense season finale.
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It would prove to be his final game in the NFL, with Smith kept out of the playoffs due to lingering issues with his leg.
Following retirement, Smith joined ESPN as an analyst.