Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr., a decorated Wake Forest standout who later played for the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, has died at 40.
Smith died Wednesday at a housing community in Florida, according to TMZ Sports, which cited sources with direct knowledge in reporting that his death was a suicide. The Palm Beach County medical examiner’s office was in possession of Smith’s body Thursday, TMZ later reported.
Hours before his death, Smith published a lengthy Facebook message describing intense personal struggles, apologizing to people in his life and saying he had needed help. The post also contained an allegation that he had suffered abuse from an older woman during his childhood.
Smith began the message by asking people not to cry for him and wrote that he had tried to overcome what he described as “demons.” He repeatedly apologized for hurting and disappointing others.
“I needed help & did not get it!” Smith wrote in part, before concluding the message with an apology and an indication of finality.
Smith had appeared considerably more upbeat in another Facebook video posted only days before his death.
In that footage, the former NFL player repeatedly knocked on a family’s door and offered to purchase breakfast for them. He could be heard calling out from outside while attempting to determine what the family wanted to eat.
Long before reaching the NFL, Smith established himself as one of the most accomplished defensive backs in Wake Forest history.
The Pahokee, Florida, native played for the Demon Deacons from 2004 through 2008 and developed a reputation for creating turnovers.
Smith intercepted eight passes during the 2007 season, tying for the national lead, and returned three of those interceptions for touchdowns. He added seven more interceptions during his senior campaign in 2008.
His performance earned him first-team All-ACC honors in consecutive seasons. Smith also received consensus All-American recognition following his senior year.
By the time his Wake Forest career ended, Smith had recorded 21 interceptions, establishing a school record and what was then an ACC record.
His final collegiate interception came against Navy in the 2008 EagleBank Bowl and moved him past former North Carolina defensive back Dre’ Bly for the conference record.
Wake Forest later honored Smith’s college career by inducting him into its Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Smith entered the NFL the year after his final college season.
The Broncos selected him with the 37th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He appeared in 15 games during his rookie campaign before Denver traded him to Detroit in September 2010.
Smith quickly delivered the most productive season of his professional career after joining the Lions.
He intercepted five passes in 12 appearances during the 2010 season, leading Detroit in interceptions. One of those takeaways was returned 42 yards for a touchdown.
Smith remained with Detroit through the 2012 season. The Lions released him during final roster cuts that August before bringing him back in October as injuries depleted the team’s secondary.
He ultimately appeared in four games during his final NFL season before Detroit waived him again in November. Smith did not appear in another NFL game.
Across four professional seasons, Smith played in 42 regular-season games and made 11 starts. He finished his career with 88 tackles, eight interceptions, 19 passes defended and two defensive touchdowns.
Smith’s death came shortly after his final Facebook message began drawing attention because of the severity of the struggles he described. Further official details surrounding his death had not been publicly released as of Thursday morning.
He was 40 years old.
