Alex's Smith's comeback story from leg injury gave me HOPE.
Alex Smith is a former American football quarterback, who played in the NFL for 16 seasons. He is also a father of 3. He retired from playing football in 2021, after making one of the biggest comeback stories in sports.
On November 18, 2018,
'The Houston Texans vs Washington a game 'which is now remembered mostly for one horrific play.'
"With just under 8 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Washington faced a 3rd and 9 at the Houston 24, trailing 17-7. The play was first very disappointing because Alex Smith dropped back and Houston blitz was entirely whiffled by the offensive line, resulting in Smith being sacked by Kareem Jackson for a loss of 13 yards.
Not only did Jackson sack Smith, but J.J Watt arrived just after Jackson and also landed on top of Smith.
The result was a broken fibula and tibia for Alex Smith. He suffered a compound fracture and a spiraling fracture.
This injury made a big impact on Smith's life with a life threating infection. But after 17 surgeries and a recovery that took 10 months. Alex Smith made a return to the NFL. This was the biggest comeback in sports.
It was not an easy comeback for Alex Smith, he had to grind and most importantly had to stay resilient. The way Smith lived through this incident inspired many lives including my own.
Embrace the new, no matter how uncomfortable and make it work for you. - Alex Smith
On June 7th, 2023, around 5:00pm
I was in a really bad motorcycle accident, a car turned into my left leg and shattered my Tibia. I than flew about 15 feet, landed on my right leg with all my body weight on this leg. Causing a fracture on my right Tibia but saved my life. I found myself laying on the sidewalk with two broken legs. Screaming "HELP" in shock of what just happened. I was thinking 'is this the end of my life'... I haven't reached my goals... Will I ever walk again? Losing a pool of blood, panicking, holding my broken left lower leg with both of my hands, with fear, grief and thinking the worst. Thankfully, we have a loving God. I was rushed to the hospital, right into the operation room. I had multiple surgeries and 4 blood transfusions.
On the night of the 15th, a surgeon called Josh Kelly came in and explained his part of the surgery, explained that he will steal the top part of my thigh muscle and skin. You heard it, a muscle flap and a skin graph, on the same leg. Hearing this wasn't easy, so I paused for a second... then Dr. Kelly mentioned the story of Alex Smith having similar surgery, surviving it and returning back to the NFL. . .
Knowing that Alex Smith conquered this life threating injury, and 17 surgeries + hard work through recovery gave me hope that I will also conquer this and one day be able to walk again. I took a good look at Dr. Kelly with strength in my eyes and said, 'Let's do it. If Alex Smith can do it, I can do it. Let's save this leg!' He said OK. The surgery took 8 hours and 1 week of bed rest. It wasn't a pleasant experience but having hope and trusting God. . . Took me a long way!
Be still, and know I am God. - Psalm 46:10
I am in a recovery stage now and thank God for Alex Smith experience that gave me hope and strength to persevere through this tough experience. Life can bring on challenges we're not prepared for and some of those challenges require us to believe in the power of knowing the unknown. This is called faith. Faith of knowing that even if it looks impossible at the moment, I will be okay. In Jesus name.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7
One thing Alex Smith did, was living the only way he knew how, that was staying positive and working hard to stay patient and consistent in his recovery stage. I am grateful for Smith who led a great example for people like me to stay strong in situations like this. If I had an opportunity to meet Alex Smith, it would be an honor.
Alex Smith's leg from Injury.
Jeff Mugongo's Leg injury.
Thank you for reading this story, I pray that you won't go through any similar injuries or any serious injury. But if you do just know that your positive outlook on life will get you through many obstacles and roadblocks. May God continue to bless you and your resilience to continue to shine through life's changes.
Written by Jeff Mugongo
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