Former NFL player Alphonso Smith Jr. has died at 40 after a suicide attempt, Florida authorities have confirmed.
The former Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions cornerback died on September 2 after deputies responded to a report of a suicide attempt in Pahokee, Florida. He was taken to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Before his death, Smith posted a troubling message on Facebook, writing, “Do not cry for me. I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into me.”
Smith also apologised to his children, siblings, mother and friends in the post.
Smith played in the NFL from 2009 to 2012, appearing in 42 games and recording 88 tackles and eight interceptions. He played one season with the Broncos and three with the Lions.
He was also a standout player at Wake Forest University, where he earned All-American honours and was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
After football, Smith worked as a high school coach, content creator and barber. He also organised free football skills seminars for young players in his community.
In a 2009 interview, Smith explained why football meant so much to him, saying the sport taught him “perseverance, accountability, and responsibility.”
