Alphonso Smith Jr., a former Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions cornerback and Wake Forest All-American, has died at 40, TMZ Sports first reported Wednesday.
Sources with direct knowledge told TMZ that Smith died by suicide Wednesday at a housing community in Florida. Officials have not publicly released additional details about the circumstances.
Hours before his death, Smith posted a lengthy, distressed message on Facebook describing an internal struggle he called “demons,” childhood trauma, and a need for help he said he did not receive.
“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!” he wrote. “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!”
In the post, Smith apologized repeatedly to his children, family and friends, called himself a “coward,” and referenced abuse he said he suffered as a boy at the hands of an older woman. He ended the message: “I am SORRY! THIS IS IT!”
Smith was born Oct. 20, 1985, in Pahokee, Florida, and starred at Pahokee High School before becoming one of the most decorated defensive backs in Wake Forest history. He redshirted in 2004 and played from 2005-08 under coach Jim Grobe. He led the nation in interceptions in both 2007 (eight) and 2008 (seven), finished with an ACC-record 21 career interceptions that still stands, and was a consensus All-American as a senior in 2008. He was a Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist that year and was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in the 2021-22 class.
The Denver Broncos selected Smith in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played 15 games as a rookie. Denver traded him to the Detroit Lions in September 2010. Smith spent three seasons in Detroit, recording a career-high five interceptions in 2010. The Lions released him in final cuts in 2012, then re-signed him midseason. He appeared in four games that year and was out of the league afterward.
In four NFL seasons (42 games), Smith recorded 88 tackles, eight interceptions, two interceptions returned for touchdowns and 19 passes defended.
Smith’s death is the latest reminder of the mental-health challenges that can follow even high-profile athletic careers. He is also the second member of Denver’s 2009 draft class to die by suicide; wide receiver Kenny McKinley died in 2010.
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