[Sport] Alex Smith and a movie story with Washington: from nearly losing his leg to the postseason

[#Steeven.™]

If Alex Smith's story was ever made into a movie, the quarterback wouldn't go to the movies to watch it. "Of course not. I wouldn't see her," he said.

After all, Smith has lived it in reality, and he doesn't need anyone to document the tortuous path he's followed since he fractured his right leg and required 17 surgeries to recover.

As inspiring as this can be for his teammates and coaches, his sporting history this season has little to do with the 2018 injury that put his career at risk. Rather, the news has been the way Smith has led Washington from a 2-7 record to the NFC East title.

He's a veteran quarterback who knows what it's like to play in the postseason.

"Once you're there and the whistle blows, you have to understand that everything is results-oriented. You have to be accountable to your teammates and coaches. Every person in this building depends on you," Smith said. "In the end, once you get on the field, you better get the results."

Smith has succeeded, exceeding expectations and proving that coach Ron Rivera was correct in deciding that the attack would work best with an experienced captain.

Five touchdowns and five interceptions in six starting games don't seem like statistics anyone can boast about. But the 5-1 record is a credit to the 36-year-old quarterback, who led the offense with a quality never achieved by Dwayne Haskins, a first-round draft pick in 2019.

Haskins lost five of his six starting duels, and the team released him. Kyle Allen won one of his matches before getting hurt.

Now this is Smith's team, despite the limitations he faces from a strained right calf on his leg repaired by surgery. The condition could force Rivera to field substitute Taylor Heinicke at least occasionally in Saturday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"It is something that we will surely have to analyze," Rivera said.

Of course, the Buccaneers are preparing to face Smith. "

When Alex Smith plays quarterback, they have a tremendous team, "said Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians." They are a very well-managed team with tons of defensive talent. But Alex Smith is really the key to everything. "

How is that possible? Arians credits Smith for throwing the ball so quickly that he avoids being caught by rivals.

Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson, who worked with Smith for three years as Kansas City's offensive coordinator, praises the way the quarterback makes decisions. Zac Taylor from Cincinnati also highlights Smith's effectiveness.

Of course, Smith is not without its errors. He just seems to know when he can afford to risk.

Smith is only the fifth quarterback in NFL history to have led three different teams to the playoffs. He did it before with San Francisco and Kansas City.

 

The quarterbacks who have led 3 teams to the Playoffs
1. Dave Krieg: Seahawks (1983, 1984, 1987, 1988), Chiefs (1992), Lions (1994)
2. Brad Johnson: Vikings (1996), Washington (1999), Bucs (2001, champion 2002)
3. Kerry Collins: Panthers (1996), Giants (2000 and 2002), Titans (2008)
4. Jeff Garcia: 49ers (2001, 2002), Eagles (2006), Bucs (2007)
5. Alex Smith: 49ers (2011), Chiefs (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) and Washington (2020)

 

And he's made one of the most amazing and emotional comebacks in football, if not all of sport.

Since the middle of the year, he has reached numerous milestones: He was given permission to practice, stayed on the payroll, finally played another NFL game, appeared in a game start for the first time since 2018 and won again. Now, he has the playoffs ahead of him.