The stats dont reveal how good Alex Smith really is. One of the most underrated and underappreciated QBs when he was playing.

Balled my eyes out listening to this. Brought back my own fight 4.5 years ago when I had my hand chopped in half by woodsplitter. The highs, the lows and the people who helped me. Now I can climb a 6A boulder and it doesnt limit me in anyway. I am so proud of myself. Thanks so much for the story.

I forgot just how awesome Alex Smith was as a person, great talk.

I'm a huge chiefs fan and I loved Alex. I am so happy that he has gotten healthy

I cant comprehend how they were able to bring back that zombie of a leg. Technology is incredible today

Alex always had my respect. Wish my 49ers had more of a stable situation while he was there. First 6-7 yrs a new playbook every year smh. Glad my guy made it past that injury and played after it

I appreciate the warning but "a little graphic" is a understatement. His Dr.'s are amazing, the fact that he still has his leg, heck his life is a testament to how good his Dr.'s are.

As a SF Niners, I've always admired and pulled for Alex. He was thrown into the fire as a rookie with a revolving door of coaching staffs and mediocre teammates, yet he took all the blame. I learned a lot about resilience and class by following Alex's career. Wishing Alex all the best!

Honestly whoever disliked this needs to take a long look at themselves. I had a MRSA infection at 16 after a knee surgery. Almost lost my leg and my life as well. Alex is an inspiration I got goosebumps listening to his story. Thanks Alex

Alex smith is a true warrior. This is great

Thank You. I really needed to hear this. This hits home as I’m battling back from stage 4 cancer and 3 strokes. Awesome story!!! Makes me look at my scars differently.

Alex Smith is a legend. Has to be in the HOF. Started off his career great with the 49ers then came to the Chiefs and was a big part of turning the franchise around. Then goes to Washington and overcomes something that no other person in history has ever overcame. A hero

Alex had it rough. He admit he got lucky his last 2 season in college and got drafted 1 overall and claimed he was a fraud. With all the hate he got from everyone, he still ended up playing at his peak at a elite level with a good coach after years of having bad coaches. He made the playoffs every year in kc and took Washington to the playoffs after surviving his injury. Wow his journey is amazing.

Alex Smith is a true warrior I almost got sick from what happened to his leg at the last picture but a few much better thing Alex Smith better God bless you Alex Smith

Alex Smith is awesome. A TRUE champion. This is so impactful.

SF fan, never stopped rooting for you Alex, truly an inspiration to all of us.

You don't have to win a Super Bowl to be forever known... in my heart Alex will be always one of my favorite quarterbacks. He fought through this adversity, but he also had to endure fickle fans, fickle ownership, changes in where he played and who for, and I don't know how much he had to go through. But he always had such a great demeanor, cheerful attitude, and supported his teammates even when he was overlooked at times. Anyway, Alex is purely a good human being. I don't have to wish him to have a good life, he already is having one. And yes, it was cool.

A few years ago when my daughter graduated at Utah he was the commencement speaker, going into it I figured it was going to be terrible. Boy was I wrong, one of the best speeches I've ever heard in my life, regardless of setting.

As a blind 15 year old, Alex’s story really inspires me. It has shown me not to believe anyone who says I can’t do something.

He had this done at the hospital I worked at for 10 years. So proud of his recovery!

This is awesome it shows a whole different side to sports and athletes, Alex is a great mental health advocate

the fans in KC will always love you bud... and we thank you for all you did here... and more importantly, for all you have done for youself since leaving us.

I have the exact same leg - I also have the exact same photos - Congrats Alex ! I know what you felt and what you went through. We did it !

Alex Smith was a great qb, he deserved much better than the circumstances he ended up in, amazing that they saved that leg and nothing short of astonishing that he made a nfl team let alone took them to the playoffs with that leg, stuff of legend

EPIC! Thank you Alex, let's all just live!

I remember watching Alex play his heart out at Candlestick. I’ve been a 49ers fan my entire life, and I have to say, he’s right there with Montana and Young. Such a great player and a great guy. This guy is such a great inspiration to all of us.

Probably the best speech on Ted. Great pitch delivery story and messege. Congratulations Alex Smith.

Incredibly inspiring. One of the most powerful sports stories I’ve ever heard.

Had this been in the 80s 90s alex for sure would’ve lost his leg. Amazing how much technology has improved our lives in general

No one can ever call Alex Smith weak! He is a true warrior. Us 49ers fans love you for life!

Easily one of the best TED talks I've ever seen and I assure you that is saying a lot.

I was one of his harshest critics when he was playing for the Niners. There was one year when a San Jose girl went missing, without any prompting he decided to join the volunteers to go searching for her for days. Ever since that I could no longer boo the guy, even though they were still losing, and I became a life long fan of his. For that act of kindness he is a Hall of Famer in my book.

Guy's a walking miracle, hope he lives a long and happy life.

Lifelong 49er fan here. Alex's Smiths life is amazing and motivational on so many levels. I remember him being doubted and eventually booed during games. Many considered him the biggest draft bust in NFL history. That all changed in 2011 when Jim Harbaugh became coach of the 49ers. He was the first competent coach the team had in years. He believed in Alex, keeping him as starter to much disappointment and questioning from the media in 49er fans alike. That year, Smith led the 49ers to the playoffs with a 13-3 record as a starter. In his first playoff game against the Saints, we were down late. On two consecutive drives, Alex ran the ball and scored a TD, showing his high level athleticism and running ability, then backed it up with a perfect TD throw to win the game. Smith had arrived. Showing the world he belonged and could be successful in the NFL. The next year, the team was off to a great start, and i was in the stands at Candlestick when Smith suffered a severe cuncussion and was replaced by the back up QB Kaepernick. The play he was injured was the last meaningful snap he ever took for the team before being traded to Kansas City. Despite the fact that he was no longer on my team, i always rooted for Alex and despised the decision to trade him and replace him with Kaepernick, who was faster and had a better arm, but never had anywhere near the career Alex had. He was successful in KC before once again being traded to Washington and replaced in KC by Mahomes. He then had several successful games before this brutal injury. I was so worried he would either die from his injury, or, best case scenario, survive but never play again. As we know, he came back in 2020 and led WAS to the playoffs. Alex Smith's life and football journey is one of the most motivational ever, and proved coaches and fans that questioned his toughness, totally wrong. I will forever be a huge fan of Alex for what he went through on and off the field, and i feel honored to say that he was my QB for my favorite team for several challenging years. Im so glad he is here with us today, and i have no doubt that his story will be motivation for other individuals that deal with stress, darkness, and challenges when recovering from horrible injuries. We love you Alex.

Thank you for this, Alex. My husband who is actually named ALEX, is going through the EXACT same thing right now, he's just not a football star. This video has helped my mind state sooooooo much. You're appreciated!

I’ve always respected Alex Smith

one of the best TED talks! Wow. So moving.

I wrote a paper on this in college relating it to grit, alex is the definition of grit. As a kc kid he was my qb throughout high school and got us back to being relevant along with Andy. True class act and an inspiration that I will live the rest of my life through. Love you Alex, thank you truly.

Needed to hear this today. Thanks to Mr. Alex for sharing his story!

Super emotional. Thank you for this.

What an amazing man! I’m so glad he is healed both mentally and physically.

A truly amazing story, man and message.

Powerful and inspiring message. Something we can all relate to.Thanks for this Alex.

As a 49er fan, Alex Smith is and will always be my quarterback.

Awesome and strong speech. Truly inspiring!

I love Alex! This had me in tears! Amazing! Just amazing!

First Ted I’ve watched in years!!! Thank you for having Alex on!

WOW! NOT what I was expecting. So happy for you Alex and your accomplishments. I'm a huge TED fan. This is one of the best. Once a Scotty always a Scotty.

Alex Smith is a great dude - very inspirational and great for him to share his journey and help others! Prayers up for all

Extremely high respect for this man! Great TED Talk

I had a rare cancerous tumor on my back and I love this talk because after 2 years I am cancer free. I have huge scars.. but I am proud of all the people who helped me and all I have overcome. I am actually training jiu-jitsu. it doesn't hurt me anymore to be touched there.

This is awesome! tear jerker! thank you for your determination and dedication, Alex Smith.

I could listen to him to hours. Such a wells spoken man

Loved him as Fan and love him more as a person! His story is inspiring me every single day and it’s amazing that he did this Ted talk.

Alex was a solid quarterback, but he had an incredible recovery from a beyond horrible injury, and he is more than willing to share his experience with strangers like you and me both online and in person. He deserves all the respect in the world.

You are a winner, Alex. Truly inspiring!

This dude is awesome as a player and more importantly as a person. Extremely inspirational. God bless Alex Smith. I’m a fan.

Powerful !!! Reminder that we are all alike more than you know. We all have fears and phobias .

Alex Smith inspires! Very humble and a family man. Congratulations.

Thank you for sharing your powerful story, Alex. No doubt, it will help countless people. Your substantial accomplishments on the field will be eclipsed by those of the rest of your life. All the best!

Incredible recovery and inspirational speech! I didn’t know anything about Alex before chancing upon this TED talk. Superbly delivered speech..👏

Respect this guy so much. Very great human being. And his wife too.

This is powerful, I resonate with this very well. Some nasty scars due to football. Going from the hospital bed thinking I won’t make it out or will never get better. To fully embracing myself and taking on the rest of life’s challenges. God bless Alex.

Wow just wow. I have had to watch this over and over and over again. What an incredible human being and so vulnerable and strong. This message is one for all of humanity. The power of human will and spirit.

Best TED Talk I’ve ever seen. Thank you Alex Smith!

Genuinely compelling story, thank you for sharing it! 👏👏 🙂

This is so inspiring and humbling at the same time, love the dude. (Also his Monday morning ESPN daily is a must listen)

Thank you Alex for sharing this experience and making an inspirational moment. I respect you even more now. I do believe following in the footsteps of greats can do something psychologically and I never have heard anyone quite express that in words like u have! 🔥 And when you returned to the field, I was watching! It was a historic moment in the NFL world.

Awesome man! I respect you and what you went through. You are tough Alex. Thank you for the life lessons . This motivates me to get back in the GYM

Truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your struggles, so honestly, openly and humble. I can relate this wholeheartedly. God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your family 🙏 🤲

Fantastic talk and a lesson for all of us. Way to go Alex!

Impressive, it's hard to fathom to damage his leg suffered and how incredible that he not only came back to play professionally but now has this awesome attitude. Happy for him. Respect

Alex you’re a resilient man! So touching. God bless you. As a 49er fan, so glad to see you healthy and smiling. This injury has brought more purpose to your life. Thanks for sharing your story and continuing to inspire us. This brought tears to my eyes 🥺

Thank you Alex. I'm don't watch sports but your TED talk is inspiring... I will continue to go back to this as I fight my anxiety, self doubt and fear. God bless.

Moving talk, great lesson of his life , may not work for everyone, but AWSOME story

Alex Smith is forever gonna be my hero. I love this guy! I could also recommend his 60Minutes documentary. Very very inspiring!

Alex been a fan since you were a rookie starting out your story is really inspirational you will always be a faithful brother good to luck to you.

This guy was all around a good guy and player and his toughness to not give up is Elite

One of the best Ted talks I’ve watched. Applause for that man.

Thanks for the great speech, your life tribulations have made you stronger! I will forever remember. "Fall once get up twice"!

Going through injuries right now, before I can even begin accomplishing my football dream, but man did this help me want to stay motivated and go even fkn harder!!!! Thank you Alex Smith, I’m feeling beyond inspired to continue pursuing my dream from this moment on, staring my fears and weaknesses in the fkn face as I back them down!

Your an amazing player and true leader and had a lot of spirit. Your the best Alex.

Huge Chiefs fan! Thanks for sharing ur personal story & encouraging me to embrace me scars & accept my fears for what they r so I can move forward. Very powerful message! Even though u couldn’t hear me I was cheering for ur full recovery & celebrating when I saw u on TV again w/ the Redskins against all odds not just playing but winning games to get them to the playoffs!

He is very well spoken.

Good to see Alex thriving. Listen to Alex. He overcame a lot of adversity on the field. Just think the mental strength it takes for him to still stand on his own two feet...just amazing story.

Thank God for this courageous man! Alex fought his own incredible battle and now he’s helping others to fight theirs..most inspirational talk I’ve ever heard!

We were there Alex, as you took that field, cheering you on, feeling proud...of you and your wife, for what you both had endured and overcome! Always have looked up to how you have handled yourself right with the 49ers...!

His thoughts on anxiety really helped me out. I appreciate that

Man, this got me so emotional. I have always thought Alex Smith’s story was inspiring, but wow, I never knew how hard it was for him a lot of the time. I didn’t even know about his struggles early in his career. I myself have gone through tough times the past couple years myself (even before covid), so this hit really close to home. Glad he’s okay now. Much love from Who Dat Nation⚜️

My respect for this man since his injury has skyrocketed immensely. Alex Smith is a freaking legend

I love this man. I’m so glad he kept faith in his medical staff and his family. Class act all the way!

How great is that question "are you alive?", All respect to what Alex has come through, I'm a NFL fan. And I'm so glad I get an opportunity to get that method, that question to be present from a NFL quarterback. Thank you 🙏

What a tough guy. I can't image the pain, the recovery, and persistence to just be able to stand again let alone play professional football. Thanks for the inspiration Alex.

OMG, mad props to Mr. Alex Smith. Wow is all can say. Great speech Alex.

This man is a hero and a great role model, much respect Alex🙂

You are a true inspiration alex

I was a huge fan of Alex Smith when he played for the Chiefs but have been a super fan of the way he came back from this injury and been an inspiration for so many since doing so.

Alex Smith thank you for sharing your scars with us. This is powerful to watch. Go Niners. Going to wear your jersey tomorrow for MNF. 🧡

Still my favorite QB. He been through a lot. Happy you went out on Your terms Alex.

What an inspiring story. Wish you more success Alex, nice to see good people back on their feet.