Alex Smith is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for 16 seasons. He played college football at Utah, where he was recognized as an All-American and led his team to victory in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. Following his collegiate success, he was selected first overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Smith led the 49ers to their first NFC West division title and playoff win since 2002, along with the teams first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1997. The next year he joined the Kansas City Chiefs, where he guided them to four playoff runs between 2013 and 2017 and one postseason victory in 2015, their first since 1993. Smith also received three Pro Bowl selections during his Chiefs tenure and led the league in passer rating for 2017. He was traded to the Washington Redskins in 2018 which during his first season with Washington, Smith suffered a life-threatening injury to his right leg that nearly resulted in amputation. Although expected to never play again, he completed a lengthy rehabilitation process that allowed him to walk on the field as the starting Quarterback in 2020, leading the team to an NFC East division title and earning him NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He retired after his incredible comeback and recovery. His comeback from the injury is regarded as one of the greatest in NFL history.