Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr., whose decorated career at Wake Forest left him atop the ACC record book, has died at 40.
Smith died Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Florida, according to TMZ Sports. Sources with direct knowledge told the outlet that his death was a suicide. No additional official details about the circumstances had been publicly released as of Thursday morning.
Before his death, Smith shared a lengthy Facebook message expressing severe emotional distress, apologizing to people in his life and saying that he had needed help. The message also referred to painful experiences from his childhood. Out of respect for Smith and his family, the more deeply personal portions of the post are not reproduced here.
Smith’s football career stretched from Pahokee, Florida, to one of the most accomplished defensive careers in Wake Forest history and then four seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions. He appeared in 42 professional games and recorded eight interceptions, 19 passes defended and two defensive touchdowns.
Smith’s Final Message Said He Had Needed Help
TMZ was first to report Smith’s death Wednesday afternoon. USA TODAY’s subsequent report, syndicated by Yahoo Sports, cited TMZ for the reported circumstances and said further details were not immediately available.
Smith’s final Facebook message quickly became part of the coverage because it showed that he was experiencing significant emotional distress. He apologized to his children, family, friends and other people in his life and wrote that he had needed help. The post also referred to traumatic experiences from his childhood.
His 21 Interceptions Still Stand as an ACC Record
Smith became one of Wake Forest’s most decorated defensive players. His Sports Hall of Fame biography credits him with 21 career interceptions, a total the school says remains the ACC record, along with 61 career passes defended.
He intercepted eight passes as a junior in 2007, setting a Wake Forest single-season record and leading both the ACC and the nation. Smith added seven more interceptions in 2008 and earned first-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association, Walter Camp and CBS Sports. He was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Smith produced memorable takeaways late in that senior season. He intercepted two passes against Duke in November 2008, including one in overtime that sealed Wake Forest’s 33-30 victory. Weeks later, his interception against Navy in the EagleBank Bowl became the 21st of his career, moving him past North Carolina’s Dre’ Bly for the ACC record. Wake Forest later selected Smith for its Sports Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in 2022.
Detroit Became the Most Productive Stop of His NFL Career
The Denver Broncos selected Smith with the 37th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie before Denver traded him to Detroit in September 2010 for tight end Dan Gronkowski.
His first Lions season produced his best interception total in the NFL. Smith picked off five passes in 12 games, the most on Detroit’s roster that season, and returned one 42 yards for a touchdown.
Smith remained with Detroit through 2012. Across four NFL seasons, he appeared in 42 games and finished with eight interceptions, 19 passes defended and two defensive touchdowns. His final professional appearances came during the 2012 season.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day.