Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr., a standout player for Wake Forest University and later with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, died Wednesday at the age of 40. Smith’s death occurred at a housing community in Florida. TMZ Sports, citing sources with direct knowledge, reported that his death was a suicide. The Palm Beach County medical examiner’s office confirmed it was in possession of Smith’s body on Thursday.
"I needed help & did not get it!" Alphonso Smith Jr., Former NFL Cornerback (from his Facebook post)
Hours before his death, Smith published a lengthy and deeply personal message on Facebook. In the post, he described intense personal struggles, apologizing to various people in his life and expressing a profound need for assistance. "I needed help & did not get it!" Smith wrote, concluding his message with an apology and an indication of finality. The post also contained an allegation that he had suffered abuse from an older woman during his childhood. He began the message by asking people not to cry for him and stated he had tried to overcome what he described as "demons."
This poignant final message contrasted sharply with another Facebook video Smith had posted only days prior. In that earlier footage, he appeared considerably more upbeat, cheerfully knocking on a family's door and offering to purchase breakfast for them, calling out from outside to determine their preferences.
Smith's football career was marked by significant achievements. A native of Pahokee, Florida, he played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2004 through 2008, where he developed a reputation as a prolific ball-hawk. During the 2007 season, Smith intercepted eight passes, tying for the national lead, and returned three of those for touchdowns. He followed this with seven more interceptions in his senior campaign in 2008, earning him first-team All-ACC honors in consecutive seasons and consensus All-American recognition as a senior.
By the conclusion of his Wake Forest career, Smith had amassed 21 interceptions, establishing a new school record and what was then an ACC record. His final collegiate interception came against Navy in the 2008 EagleBank Bowl, surpassing former North Carolina defensive back Dre’ Bly for the conference record. In recognition of his collegiate excellence, Wake Forest inducted Smith into its Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Following his distinguished college career, Smith entered the NFL. The Denver Broncos selected him as the 37th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played in 15 games during his rookie season before being traded to the Detroit Lions in September 2010. With the Lions, Smith experienced the most productive season of his professional career, intercepting five passes in 12 appearances during the 2010 season, leading the team in takeaways. One of these interceptions was returned 42 yards for a touchdown.
Smith remained with Detroit through the 2012 season. The Lions initially released him during final roster cuts that August but brought him back in October due to injuries depleting the team’s secondary. He ultimately appeared in four games during what would be his final NFL season before being waived again in November. Smith did not play in another NFL game after that. Across his four professional seasons, he played in 42 regular-season games, making 11 starts, and finished his career with 88 tackles, eight interceptions, 19 passes defended, and two defensive touchdowns.
Smith’s death has drawn attention to the severity of the personal struggles he detailed in his final Facebook message. As of Thursday morning, further official details surrounding his death had not been publicly released.
