The Washington Football Team activated quarterback Alex Smith off the physically unable to perform list Sunday. Before news broke of the monumental moment, Smith’s wife, Elizabeth, posted a video of the family celebrating, dousing Alex with champagne.
Alex Smith practiced for the first time in 21 months since he suffered a compound fracture in his leg on a sack against the Houston Texans. Smith’s long recovery was detailed in E:60’s Project 11 documentary, highlighted by the 17 surgeries he endured due to a bacterial infection that nearly cost him his leg.
So, it’s understandable how excited his family was of the news. Him making it this far — being allowed to practice with the team — is remarkable in itself. Sunday, Elizabeth Smith explained Alex’s journey is “bigger than football.”
— Elizabeth Smith (@lizbsmith11) August 16, 2020
Former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann, who suffered the same injury 33 years to the date before, believes Smith should be NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Even if he doesn’t play another down, there aren’t enough words to describe Smith’s comeback to this point.
As his wife suggested, his journey is bigger than football. Theismann suggested Smith’s determination and hard work has created him a quality of life beyond football. All of which was heavily doubted when he was injured nearly two years.
