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Former NFL cornerback and Wake Forest University Hall of Famer Alphonso Smith Jr. has died at the age of 40. According to local law enforcement and the medical examiner, he committed suicide, per TMZ.
On Wednesday afternoon, Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies received a call about a suicide attempt in a housing community in Pahokee. Smith was taken to the hospital, where he passed away. Wake Forest University confirmed his death on Thursday.
Former Wake Forest and NFL defensive back Alphonso Smith has died at age 40.https://t.co/uaF28bFYSh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2026Before his death, Smith had written on Facebook about his mental health struggles and childhood abuse:
"I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME! I did not want to be that WAY! I know I have disappointed so many folks. This is a DEMON in me! But not only me! It's EVERYONE! I have HURT so many! I needed help & did not get it."
He wrote, mentioning the traumas of childhood, according to Complex:
"To my family, BABY, my MOM, my siblings, things happened to your boy, your brother while I was little that an older lady did onto me. As a result guys, I did the same onto others!"
Smith's death has brought renewed attention to a sad trend in the Denver Broncos' 2009 draft class. Smith is the second player from that draft class to have committed suicide. Earlier, wide receiver Kenny McKinley had taken his own life on Sept. 21, 2010, due to debt and gambling problems.
Smith started his football career at Pahokee High School, where he led the team to the Class 2B state championship in 2003 as a dual-threat quarterback and cornerback. After that, he played at Wake Forest University under coach Jim Grobe. Smith set the ACC record with 21 career interceptions, was a consensus All-American in 2008, and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2021.
Denver Broncos traded their first-round pick to select Alphonso Smith
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
In 2009, the Denver Broncos traded their 2010 first-round draft pick to select Smith in the second round. This trade faced a lot of criticism, which later also played a role in coach Josh McDaniels getting fired.
Smith played one season with the Broncos and was then traded to the Detroit Lions on Sept. 4, 2010. With the Lions, he played 22 games over two seasons, including 11 starts, and was the team’s leading interceptor. His NFL career ended after the 2012 campaign.
After football, Smith started coaching at Pahokee High School, but was fired in November 2015 due to allegations of inappropriate conduct. In July 2016, he was charged with domestic battery involving his ex-girlfriend.
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