The comeback of Alex Smith took another step forward Sunday, as the Washington Football Team activated the 37-year old quarterback off the physically unable to perform list. Through all he has endured to get to this point in his journey, former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann believes Smith has already won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year this season, according to ESPN’s John Keim.
“He has gone through a lot more than I had to go through. For me it was a question of the leg healing and then trying to do certain things required of the quarterback position. Alex came within 24 hours of losing his leg. I didn’t wind up with complications; he wound up with a tremendous amount of complications. It wasn’t just healing from a broken leg. The mountain he had to climb is so much greater. No matter what happens he’s already won the award for comeback player of the year.”
Theismann understands what Alex Smith had to endure more than anyone following his devastating leg injury. Theismann suffered the same injury 33 years to the date before Smith. Both suffered a compound fracture, breaking their fibula and tibia on a sack in a Washington uniform.
However, that’s where the similarities end. Theismann had one surgery to combat a potential infection caused by the nature of the injury. Despite his efforts to come back, Theismann failed his team physical and was released by Washington the following season. He never signed with another team after.
Smith underwent a total of 17 surgeries to repair his broken tibia and fibula and a series of bacterial infections that nearly had his leg amputated and took his life. Yet, he has battled against projections of his career being over and 21 months after having his leg broken in two places, Smith returned to the practice field.
Head coach Ron Rivera previously stated Smith would be part of Washington’s quarterback competition with Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen. However, Rivera has said Smith has to prove he can protect himself.
There’s a compelling case for Smith to win Comeback Player of the Year. Even if he doesn’t play a down this season, making the 53-man active roster is amazing in itself.
This season, there won’t be any preseason due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, proving he can protect himself, move and slide in the pocket as needed, remains to be seen. Still, Theismann believes Smith’s dedication has created him a quality of life with his family.
“He pushed himself so hard, he can do things he wants with [his wife] Elizabeth and with his kids because he pushed himself so hard,” Theismann added. “That is to me the ultimate thing that happened.”
