Alex Smith’s comeback as the Washington Football Team’s quarterback will go down as one of the most remarkable ever, as the signal-caller overcame a gruesome compound leg fracture and 17 surgeries to return to the field nearly two years later.
But as Ryan Fitzpatrick — the new Washington quarterback in town — thinks back on Smith, he has one major regret.
After Smith’s injury in 2018, Fitzpatrick sent Smith “the single worst text I’ve ever sent.”
“When Alex broke his leg in that game a few years ago, I had what I thought was a similar injury: I fractured my tibia in 2014 with the Houston Texans,” Fitzpatrick said on the “Green Light” podcast with former defensive end Chris Long. “So the single worst text I’ve ever sent out, I sent it to Alex. I said ’Hey, Alex, just want to let you know they’ll fix you right up, you’ll be good as new. I’m out here and I don’t feel any pain from my injury three years later.’
“And I sent it and felt good about it, and he said, ’Well, mine might be a little more complicated.’ And 17 surgeries later, and the story of what he had to overcome, I felt like the biggest a**hole.”
When Fitzy learned about Alex Smith’s retirement… he remembered the worst text he’s ever sent pic.twitter.com/vUNiInJZfU
— baseball knowing king chris long (@JOEL9ONE) April 20, 2021
Beyond that, Fitzpatrick had nothing but good things to say about Smith. They were both drafted into the league in 2005, and Fitzpatrick said Smith “made the team better” everywhere he went.
His recovery and comeback to Washington, though, is what amazes Fitzpatrick most.
“What he did last year, it was incredible for him to get back on the field,” Fitzpatrick said, “and I was very happy after sending that text that he didn’t lose his leg.”
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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