A graphic ESPN documentary has revealed the life-threatening extent of Alex Smith’s leg injury suffered in 2018.
The Washington Redskins quarterback broke his leg in a game against the Houston Texans when it was pinned awkwardly underneath him after going down.
He suffered a compound fracture with the bone breaking the skin and was carted off the field and rushed to hospital.
Smith’s leg later became infect and he had to undergo 17 surgeries with doctors telling him the injury was no longer considered a sports injury but more like a military injury – as if he had been impacted by an explosion to the leg.
His wife Elizabeth told ESPN Alex contracted a flesh-eating bacteria that was eating away at this leg and that he was septic and “essentially dying”.
In the documentary, which aired on Friday evening, Smith said doctors had discussed cutting off his leg as the best course of action.
The documentary includes graphic images of Alex Smith’s leg after it became infected and footage of the medical procedures he underwent.
Smith, who has impressed the sporting world with his recovery, travelled to a military facility in San Antonio several times to start rehabbing his leg.
He worked his way back to first being able to walk then run and is still in the process of making a comeback to the NFL.
The former No. 1 overall pick says he is feeling optimistic about his prospects
The 36-year-old told ESPN: “I’m feeling pretty good about the rest of my life, regardless of what happens with football.”