How will Alex Smith be remembered?
The 2005 NFL draft's first overall selection lasted 16 years, including two partial seasons in Washington. He was 99-67-1 overall, including 5-1 last season to resurrect the Washington Football Team. Smith was 2-5 in the playoffs, never saw a Super Bowl. For the first pick in the draft, those are mildly-disappointing stats.
Everyone will remember Smith as a winner, though. Someone who rose to the ultimate challenge, showed he was the ultimate competitor. And, he literally walks away in one surgically-repaired piece.
Smith announced his retirement on Monday via Instagram. He thanked everyone along his journey while looking forward to the next journey,
It was a great decision that took courage because very, very few leave professional sports on their own terms. Surely, Smith would have loved to further his redemption story, but really that was last season when returning two years after suffering a near-fatal leg injury that threatened the loss of life and limb.
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There was nothing left to prove for Smith. He did far more than expected. Smith saved Washington from looking like a joke last season when no one expected him to even play. Now, Washington has an optimistic future after years of mediocrity thanks to Smith risking two years of rehab and the coming years of walking with his kids.
Smith will surely wonder what could have been, but fans worried what might happen every time someone tackled the passer. He was tempting fate with a big stick and there's nothing to say he wouldn't have been hurt this fall if continuing to play. No, continuing was too much of a risk in a sport that tends to see most players exit injured.
Instead, fans will remember Smith for his courage. His commitment. Life is about getting back up after serious blows. The past year's pandemic has proven that.
Smith rose with inspiration. The late Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke used to quote Andrew Barton, a 16th-century Scottish admiral who fought the British, over rising to challenges.
"I am hurt, but I am not slain.
I'll lay me down and bleed awhile
Then I’ll rise and fight again."
I have a feeling we'll hear from Alex Smith again winning life's next challenge.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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