Redskins quarterback Alex Smith suffered a devastating leg injury in Week 11 of the 2018 NFL season, and he spent four weeks in the hospital battling an infection that required multiple surgeries to combat.
Smith was ruled out from returning in 2019 as he slowly recovered throughout the year, but he said in August that he felt “as optimistic as I’ve ever been” that he will eventually return to football.
It had been reported that Smith underwent several surgeries on his leg, but he recently revealed the scary reality of his injury while speaking at a local event. The Washington Times reports that Smith told doctors he had a total of 17 surgeries.
Via the Washington Times:
“Seventeen operations.
That is what Smith told an invited audience of mostly medical professionals attending an Inova Sports Medicine event on Oct. 2 in Fairfax, Virginia, — 17 surgeries, according to someone in attendance who asked not to be identified.
They said there was a “gasp” from the crowd when Smith revealed he had 17 surgeries on the broken leg, the person said.”
Despite the grueling rehab process, Smith has said he’s motivated by the monumental challenge to see if he can get back on the field.
Via NBC Sports:
“The older you get, you realize how precious these situations are; that it’s not going to last forever, and trying to make the most of it. You only have so many years left, and to have this challenge set out in front of me. I mean, how often do you get a challenge like that to overcome? And for me to take it on and not worry about anything else.”
