Former Wake Forest, NFL DB Smith dies at 40 — SkimNews
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- Alphonso Smith, a two-time All-America defensive back at Wake Forest, died Wednesday at age 40, with the university informed by his family and no cause of death given.
- Smith appeared to post on his Facebook account Wednesday, writing "Do not cry for me!" and apologizing to his children while describing childhood trauma as a "demon" he could not overcome despite seeking help.
- The Denver Broncos drafted Smith in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft; he played 15 games before being traded to the Detroit Lions shortly before the 2010 season.
- Smith appeared in 44 NFL games over four seasons, recording 8 interceptions and returning two for touchdowns, and was released and re-signed by the Lions within the 2012 season.
- Smith helped Pahokee High School win a Florida state football title in 2003 as a two-way star at quarterback and defensive back in his hometown.
- After his NFL career, Smith served as a Wake Forest sideline reporter in 2013, later became head football coach at Moore Haven and Pahokee High School, and also worked as dean of students in charge of discipline at Pahokee.
Why it matters: Smith's final Facebook post directly linked his mental anguish to childhood trauma — a detail the wire copy does not soften. The source contrasts that with his post-NFL trajectory into youth coaching and school discipline leadership, putting a human face on the long-tail mental health toll borne by former players after their playing days end.
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