Alex Smith Shifts the Quarterback Spotlight To the NFL’s Most Overlooked Stars

Alex Smith spoke about the quarterbacks who have not been the 'face of the league' but are still delivering on their promise.

Alex Smith Shifts the Quarterback Spotlight To the NFL’s Most Overlooked Stars

Left to right from top to bottom: CJ Stroud, Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, Brock Purdy; In center: Alex Smith (Images via Getty Images/ESPN/CNN/Heavy Sports)

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Not every quarterback conversation is about crowning the best in the league. Sometimes, it is about giving flowers to the players whose performances deserve more consistent attention. That was the lens former NFL quarterback Alex Smith used during his discussion on the “Real Ones” episode with Fred Warner.

Alex Smith highlighted the players in the league apart from the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson, who have been putting up the numbers for some time now. Smith’s list started off with Houston Texans’ CJ Stroud. After a silent season last year, the quarterback has now bounced back and brought the Texans from behind into playoff spots.

Smith had immense praise for the young quarterback, calling him the most fundamental quarterback in football and a person whom young kids growing up should watch. Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert was another entry on Smith’s list.

Smith noted that Herbert has been beating on the doors of entering the likes of the Big Four: Allen, Mahomes, Jackson, and Joe Burrow. Smith claimed that Herbert reminded him of Cam Newton and used the words “talented” and “fearless” to paint a picture of the Chargers’ guy.

The last two additions on Smith’s list came from the NFC West. The former quarterback continued his praise for Fred Warner’s passer, Brock Purdy. Purdy has garnered several praises in the last week after he and the 49ers decimated the Indianapolis Colts with a five-touchdown performance. His career-high five touchdowns are the highest for any Niners quarterback since Steve Young in Super Bowl XXIX.

The last one he mentioned was Matthew Stafford. Stafford, who previously won the Super Bowl with the Rams a few years ago, is the league’s frontrunner for MVP status. Smith and Warner heaped praise on Stafford’s balling skills and perseverance, while the latter noted that the country has been very unappreciative of him for a long time now.

Alex Smith reflected on painful injury and septic shock in Fred Warner’s interview

In 2018, the former NFL quarterback, Alex Smith, suffered a compound fracture to his right leg during a game, breaking both his tibia and fibula. Smith was representing the Washington team against the Houston Texans.

Alex Smith
Alex Smith (Image via ESPN)

What initially appeared to be a severe but manageable injury quickly escalated into a medical nightmare. Smith developed necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and aggressive “flesh-eating” bacterial infection that spread rapidly through his leg.

In his chat with Fred Warner, Smith reflected on his hospital days. He admitted that he was grateful that he didn’t go home after the first bone-repairing surgery. Smith had septic shock just a day before his discharge. It was what ultimately led to the discovery of the underlying issue. He also opened up about facing the potential amputation after the disease severely damaged his shin.

Smith had a room full of doctors suggesting amputation before one brave doctor suggested a high-risk, high-reward procedure. Smith was hopeful, and he never left the hospital.

Over the months that followed, he underwent 17 surgeries, including frequent procedures to remove infected tissue and multiple limb-salvage operations. At one point, he battled sepsis and required an external fixator- a steel frame bolted into his leg, which he wore for nearly a year. The physical toll was immense, but the mental strain proved just as challenging.

Pain became a constant companion. Smith has since spoken candidly about how overwhelming it was, both physically and emotionally. Months in a wheelchair, combined with chronic pain and uncertainty, led him to a dark mental space. He later admitted he struggled with depression, a reality faced by a significant portion of people dealing with prolonged pain.

As of now, Smith informed that he still has a rod in his leg and he was only allowed to put in screws last year.

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