Remembering Alphonso Smith
Former NFL cornerback and Wake Forest record-holder Alphonso Smith dies at age 40.
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Key Points
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In 2007, Alphonso Smith registered eight interceptions, leading both the NCAA and the ACC that season, and he had a 100-yard interception return against Maryland—the longest in Wake Forest history.
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In 2008, he intercepted seven passes and was named to the first-team All-ACC for the second consecutive year.
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As a freshman in 2005, he was named Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com, ESPN.com, and Scout.com.
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Wake Forest Hall of Fame induction year for Smith is reported differently across outlets: one piece cites 2022, while another cites 2021 as his induction year.
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His 2010 season with the Detroit Lions was his most productive NFL year, as he tied for the team lead with five interceptions.
Alphonso Smith Jr., a former NFL cornerback who starred at Wake Forest and played for the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, has died at age 40 in Florida. TMZ first reported his death as suicide, coming hours after Smith posted a deeply personal message on Facebook describing internal struggles, childhood trauma, and apologies to his family.
Smith's final social media post revealed a man battling severe personal demons. He wrote about not getting the help he needed and expressed remorse toward loved ones, including his children. The post underscored longstanding mental health challenges that persisted despite his remarkable athletic achievements.
ACC Record Holder at Wake Forest
Smith became one of college football's most dominant defensive backs during his time at Wake Forest. In 2007, he recorded eight interceptions, leading both the NCAA and ACC that season. He also returned an interception 100 yards against Maryland—the longest in Wake Forest history.
He finished his Demon Deacons career with 21 interceptions, an ACC record that still stands. As a freshman in 2005, he earned Freshman All-American honors from multiple outlets. In 2008, Smith added seven more picks and made first-team All-ACC for the second straight year.
37th Overall Pick Who Struggled in the NFL
The Denver Broncos selected Smith with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, banking on his college pedigree. His professional career, however, never matched his amateur success. He played for both Denver and Detroit across his time in the league.
Smith's best NFL season came in 2010 with the Detroit Lions. That year, he tied for the team lead with five interceptions in 42 total career games. The gap between his 21 college picks and just eight NFL interceptions highlighted the difficulty of translating college dominance to the professional level.
Final Post Reveals Years of Hidden Pain
Hours before his death, Smith posted a lengthy Facebook message that disclosed painful truths. He described battling childhood abuse and internal demons that had followed him into adulthood. The post showed a man who felt he had failed those closest to him despite trying to find help.
Smith apologized directly to his family and friends in the message. He acknowledged not receiving the mental health support he needed during his struggles. The post painted a portrait of an athlete who, despite his incredible athletic gifts and on-field honors, faced overwhelming personal battles that ultimately proved too much to overcome alone.
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