Featured Image Credit: Getty/Instagram@alexsmith_11
Topics: NFL, USA, Fan Reactions
Marcus Chan
Former NFL star Alex Smith has left fans stunned after posting a picture of his leg on social media.
Throughout his career, Smith played for the likes of San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins.
The former quarterback won three Pro Bowls, one George Halas Award and was also named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2020.
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Back in 2018, Smith suffered a horrific injury as he fractured his right tibia and fibula during a match against Houston Texas.
During a nine-month period, Smith endured 17 surgeries after developing necrotizing fasciitis.
It was expected that he would not play football again but managed to return to the sport in 2020.
As a result, Smith was named the Comeback Player of the Year.
On Sunday, Smith took to social media and posted a picture of his legs, with a caption that read: “Probably should have put sunscreen on.”
Reacting to Smith’s picture, one fan said: “They should rename the comeback player award the Alex Smith Comeback Player of the Year.”
Another tweeted: “To think he made it to playoffs even with this injury.”
A third fan added: “Crazy he came back and played after that.”
Speaking about the injury back in 2022, Smith said, as per Connect: “You just never expect something like that's going to happen to you.
“To look down and see your leg bending where it shouldn't. The realization that obviously my leg was pretty severely broken.”
He added: “They got the infection under control in that sense, but (thought) maybe they still needed to cut off my leg.
“At that point, that's when I got introduced to Dr. Mehan. He was the doctor explaining that maybe he could save my leg.”
Surgeon Dr. Mehan said: “I remember talking to my partners and saying, 'Listen, I have an acceptable vessel here for a target. We can keep going.
“That was a real turning point for me in the surgery, that we had a really good shot of making this work in that we were covering the bone and the hardware, and he would potentially keep his leg.”