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NFL: Patrick Mahomes Shows Love to Alex Smith on His First Start in 728 Days

Long time NFL star Alex Smith will the starting quarterback for the Washington Football Team today as they take on the Detroit Lions. It is a day that Smith and many of his fans thought might not ever come.

Exactly 728 days ago was Smith’s last start as an NFL quarterback and it almost became his last. Both the Football Team and Lions are struggling this season with losing seasons, but today the story is about Smith. ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates says Smith’s journey is an inspiration to many current and future NFL players.

“For the first time in 728 days, Alex Smith will start an NFL game today,” Yates tweets. “From nearly losing his life and having 17 surgeries to returning to the field, driven by a desire to show his children the importance of giving it their all in life. Inspiring on a lot of levels.”

Smith’s former teammate and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Patrick Mahomes was among numerous players to congratulate Smith.

“Can’t wait to watch!,” Mahomes tweets. “Good luck my man!”

Smith Set to Start for Washington Football Team

Smith was the Football Team’s back up quarterback last week against the the New York Giants. He entered the game upon starting quarterback Kyle Allen’s gruesome-looking injury. Allen was injured in the first quarter of the game after taking a sack at the hands of Giants defender Jabrill Peppers. The first-year Washington Football Team quarterback completed 5 of 7 passes for 62 yards before leaving the game due to the injury.

The 36-year-old Smith, a former first overall NFL draft pick, proved doubters wrong last month, seeing his first game action in years. In that outing against the Los Angeles Rams, the quarterback managed to collect 37 yards passing on 17 passing attempts with nine completions.

“I really felt like, how often do you get presented with something like this in life,” Smith said in a recent interview. “I couldn’t turn it down.”

H/T: Yahoo Sports