Alex Smith Retires From NFL After 16 Years

Alex Smith has announced he’s retiring as quarterback of the Washington Football Team.

The 36-year-old football player dealt with a major injury that almost ended his career – and was life threatening – and posted a video to his Instagram to announce the news. He did return to football after the injury and played one year last year.

Click inside to read his statement…

“Two years ago I was sitting in a wheelchair, staring at my mangled leg, wondering if I’d ever be able to go on a walk with my wife again or play games with my kids in the yard. Putting my helmet back on was the furthest thing from my mind,” Alex said in a video on Instagram, embedded below.

“Then on a routine play, I nearly lost everything. But football wouldn’t let me give up because I know this isn’t just a game, not just what happens between those white lines on a Sunday afternoon. It’s about the challenges, the commitment they require, it’s about how hard and how far you can push yourself and the bond between the 53 guys in the locker room,” he added.

“Even though I have plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I got, I can’t wait to see what else is possible,” he continued.

Alex was drafted in 2005 and played for the 49ers, Chiefs and Washington.