The NFL world is in morning on Wednesday evening, following a tragic report from TMZ Sports. Former NFL defensive back Alphonso Smith Jr. has died at age 40.
Smith, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second-round of the 2009 NFL Draft before being traded to the Denver Broncos, was found dead on Wednesday at a housing community in Florida.
Prior to his death, Smith made an alarming post on social media showing his fragile emotional state.
His official cause of death has been confirmed.
Editors’ note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Alphonso Smith Jr. Cause of Death Revealed
According to the report, Smith died by suicide. In his final social media post, Smith called himself a “coward” and ended with an apology, “I am SORRY! THIS IS IT!”
He wrote, “Do not cry for me! I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME! I did not want to be that WAY! I know I have disappointed so many folks. This is a DEMON in me! But not only me! It’s EVERYONE! I have HURT so many! I needed help & did not get it!”
Before making the leap to the NFL, Smith starred at Wake Forest and was a consensus All-American in his final year. He also earned second-team All-American honors the previous year, and was a two-time first-team All-ACC member. Smith was inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame in 2022.
Our deepest condolences go out to Smith’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult and tragic time.
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