While Alex Smith spent 15 seasons in the NFL — three of them as a Pro Bowler — it can be argued that he’ll be more remembered for what he accomplished off the field.

During Smith’s first season with the Washington Commanders, Smith sustained what was described as a “life-threatening” injury to his right leg that almost resulted in the limb being amputated.

Suffering a spiral and compound fracture to his tibia and fibula in his right leg, Smith developed a life-threatening infection called necrotizing fasciitis that resulted in sepsis and forced him to have a total of 17 total surgeries. At one stage in the recovery, doctors told Smith that amputating above his knee might be his only option.

Nevertheless, Smith forged forward with his rehab and was cleared by doctors to resume football activities in July 2020.

That following season, Smith started in six games for the Commanders and compiled a 5-1 record. As a result, the Commanders qualified for the playoffs by winning the NFC East and Smith was named Comeback Player of the Year.

Now, a few years following Smith’s retirement, a new viral photo has football fans once again amazed at Smith’s comeback, which is now cited as among the greatest in NFL history.

Over the course of his 15-year NFL career, Smith compiled a 99-67-1 record while completing 62% of his passes for 35,650 yards, 199 touchdowns, and 109 interceptions. The best season of Smith’s career came in 2017 with the Kansas City Chiefs before he was eventually replaced by future MVP Patrick Mahomes, as he set career-highs in completions (341), yards (4,042), and passer rating (104.7, which led the entire NFL).

These days, Smith works for ESPN as an occasion NFL Analyst for programs such as SportsCenter and Monday Night Football. Smith is also plenty busy at home, as he has three children with his wife Elizabeth.