14-Raymond L: Inspiration

 Alex Smith, a quarterback that was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and was soon sent to the

Kansas City chiefs, and all the way to Washington. Alex Smith played 16 seasons in the NFL, and in

November of the 2018 season he suffered a compound fracture to his right tibia and fibula. Smith had

to go through 17 surgeries and he had to sit out his whole 2019 season. The fracture wasn't even the

worst part about the injury to Smith.

During the healing process a life-threatening flesh-eating bacteria that potentially could've eaten

through his leg and he would never return to the NFL. After his 17 surgeries and almost 2 years of total

rehab, Alex Smith returned to the NFL for the 2020 season and was named Comeback player of the

Year. Alex Smith retired in 2021, he inspired many people around the world, one of them being me.

Smith is a big influence and inspiration on me to become a better player and made me realize that

anything is possible no matter how hard you try you can overcome any difficulty that comes your way.

I had gone through 3 broken ankles during my younger years of playing fortball and every time one of

them happened I just thought about quitting football which I did for about 2 years. I soon realized that

my life wasn't the same without football. My freshman year of high school I decided to play football

again and I didn't break anything, I got better, Sophomore year I didn't break anything just knee pains,

Junior year I finally did it and made All League for Offensive Tackle but I'm not finished yet and will

continue to my senior year and make All League again to become better at what I do.

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