Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The sports world is in mourning following the tragic death of former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr., who died by suicide on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the age of 40. Smith was found dead at a housing community in Florida, with TMZ Sports first reporting the news.
Smith, a standout cornerback at Wake Forest University who was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 2022, played four seasons in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2012. The former second-round draft pick recorded 88 tackles and eight interceptions over 42 career games.
His death was preceded by a chilling Facebook post that appeared on his account just hours earlier, revealing the emotional turmoil he was battling. "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!" he wrote.
In the post, Smith repeatedly apologized, called himself a "coward," and referenced suffering abuse at the hands of an older woman when he was a young boy. He also apologized to his children, parents, and friends, writing: "I am the WORST & I pray my soul rest in heaven for my heart is pure, but my BRAIN & experience is MESSED UP". He ended the heartbreaking message with the words: "I am SORRY! THIS IS IT!".
The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon set an Atlantic Coast Conference record with 21 interceptions during his college career and was a consensus All-American in 2008. He was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, spending one season in Denver before being traded to the Detroit Lions in 2010. He played three seasons in Detroit before his NFL career ended after the 2012 campaign.
Smith's death comes just over a month after another former NFL player, Super Bowl champion Jordan Devey, also died by suicide at the age of 38. The back-to-back tragedies have reignited conversations about the mental health crisis among former professional athletes and the long-term effects of head trauma, childhood abuse, and the struggle to transition out of the game.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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