Alex Smith: I never aspired to play in the NFL

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Alex Smith, on obsessing over the top ranked high school quarterbacks in California, receiving a scholarship offer to play for the University of Louisville from his uncle - the head coach - and frustration with the outcome of forfeiting his redshirt year at the University of Utah. Plus, Smith says he never even thought about playing in the NFL until after his last regular season game with the Utah Utes, even though he was the top pick in the NFL draft.
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Episode debuted nationwide in 2017.
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[@TheDCGuitar13]

Wow watching these interviews really tells me Alex has been doubted his whole life. The way he described his situations sounds like a man with some pent up depression that found a way to work his way out of his struggles. Huge respect to this man.

[@fishscale9170]

TheDCGuitar13 Well spoken

[@tylersauls3557]

Forreal you can tell there's always been a ton of pressure on him since day one. It's hard trying to win when everybody is waiting for your downfall. One mistake can be overblown and implement negativity in your head.

[@FroopieLoopies]

Wow looks like he's been shitted on and underestimated his entire life.

[@UltimateBreloom]

FroopieLoopies Going into the NFL draft he was rated really high. As in the best QB prospect in the draft and one of the best of the decade.

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

LibertyMike Yeah, that's a little sad... I've always liked Alex Smith; he's the epitome of a calm, cool and collected QB.

[@cwg73160]

Being the first pick in the NFL draft is the opposite of being underestimated.

[@amaxlite]

Can you blame that if he underestimated himself? This dude was planning on going to law school.

[@TheMan750]

Devon Nelson he wasn’t that definite through high school and college

[@PKG12341]

Much respect for you Alex Smith. You are appreciated by me. I wish 49ers had understood your value. Thank you for playing in SF for as long as you did.

[@FadedDream6969]

His last season with UTAH was awesome. He's a beast and represents Utah football at the core. Thanks for everything you had to give up for Utah

[@Flynning]

Utah football sucks…. How’d he represent what Utah football is?😂

[@MrGNugget]

Damn Alex never has gotten any respect as a quarterback his whole life! He kills it in high school and gets no offers, the whole 49ers franchise was trash but he gets blamed for the failures, he finally wins then kaepernick takes his job, and now all he does is win games with the chiefs but is called a "game manager" as an insult. Respect to Alex for sticking through all the BS

[@markrobinson9394]

That's garbage. Smith went # 1 in the draft. Brady went # 199, while Romo, Warner and Moon didn't even get drafted. Smith was given every opportunity to succeed with both the 49ers and Chiefs, but his lack of big playmaking and ability to drive down the field in the clutch came back to bite him in a major way.

[@AD-eq4kn]

Hes also 2-5 in the playoffs

[@bobbymoore8564]

@@AD-eq4kn his passer rating is higher than Brady’s in the playoffs. Check it out.

[@bobbymoore8564]

He got no respect from the media. He has drive and determination.

[@timmspencer1754]

Hope this guy gets a ring one day

[@ninerempire7819]

Timm Spencer with tha niners as a back up for the g man

[@wvuwhat]

Almost feel bad he's a Skin' now. Seems like a good guy.

[@smsmaco1927]

F

[@MrZooop]

sadly it won't happen... alex is the man.

[@nykia31]

Always been an Alex Smith fan..seems like a really good, down to earth, man.

[@abruzz0]

Alex Smith and Reggie Bush were teammates in high school. Yea I'd say they could play with anyone in the country.

[@ThePancakeman25]

No Refunds really?

[@yigyountry]

ThePancakeman25 yep. Helix high school, San Diego powerhouse

[@charliebrown6590]

Great player! Better human being!

[@dylflah7630]

these interviews have just made me more of a fan of the guy. a pro's pro who in a lot of ways has always been an underdog.

[@johnnyyang5024]

I'm not a Redskins fan but Alex Smith Comeback story is Amazing and inspiring Wow, this man is so Determined to Come Back after almost losing his legs and his Life, wow I can't say enough about Alex Smith , I guess he show the World that with Hard Work, motivation and Perseverance anything is Possible, I am now a Alex Smith fan and a Alex Smith believer, How can you not root and cheer for this great man of Faith and now the Washington Redskins are in First Place in the NFC East. If I was the Forty Niners or the Bears I would try to sign Alex Smith to a Contract, to me Alex Smith is a Winner and a Man of Faith..........

[@RETRO_BELL]

That yr with Utah going undefeated was one of favorite NCCA seasons..!!! Auburn went undefeated also and didn't make the title game

[@ninjaknightslive]

This is his year! No wonder his been very meticulous, very calculated, that's why he doesn't throw INT's I think now he has the GO FOR BROKE! Attitude!

[@AndrewSavedbyJesus]

Seems like such a good dude, excellent interviews

[@robertocerda4748]

“Right?” -Alex Smith

[@mr.barnes9342]

One of the most underrated QB’s play the game....you can have all the talent in the world but it’s that last 1% of luck that makes your career...as 49er faithful he decently was dealt a bad with the constant change of coaches and scheme...then that injury which sideline him with his last season everything was finally clicking with him...the rest is history at the time everyone jumped on the Kap wagon but in retro spec what would have happen if Harbaugh would have went back to him. Sadly we will never know.

[@vogeltron9816]

My Mom wanted me to Transfer to Harvard and I had every intention to come back for my Senior year because I started my Masters!!! How flipping smart is this guy?? I think he was 21 when the 49ers took him.

[@specter290]

your right.. he was accepted to Harvard... and he talks about the lousville nepotism corruption ahahaha

[@bulldogvillan]

Highest score ever on the wonderlic test

[@Ashish-xm9ol]

@@bulldogvillan nah bro that was Fitzception

[@taylorjhebert]

It would be cool to see graham be interviewed and listen to him give his opinion about what it was like to interview people as complex and interesting as Alex Smith.

[@TheBlackJacksItalia]

Such a resilient, smart, humble guy. I bet this guy is gonna become a hell of a qb coach/ Offensive Coordinator in the future.

[@PublicNuisance2K24]

I like how open and honest Alex is in this interview. Great interview. Good job Alex.

[@TheMrLGND]

If SF didn't treat him like garbage he would've won them a SB. Oh well..

[@craigsmith4326]

Beau Christensen treat him like garbage? He sucked until Harbaugh got there as of now I don’t think kaepernick is a better QB but for the moment and time he was the better option for my 49ers. Alex went 1-13 on 3rd downs in the 2011 NFCC

[@christophergraves3113]

@@craigsmith4326 lol you dont know foot quit talking cause that 49ers alex join was awful

[@craigsmith4326]

Christopher Graves I do know football. And he still sucked

[@craigsmith4326]

Christopher Graves Alex was the wrong pick period. A lot of QBs are on bad teams but that doesn’t mean they look bad playing

[@christophergraves3113]

@@craigsmith4326 no dude that 49ers was really bad there is documentary and stories and so much how dysfunctional that franchise was...that's like saying David carradine was bad in Houston but If you look at the line got him fucked him up

[@TeachAManToAngle]

I never paid attention to him …. Until now. Incredible man. Much respect.

[@uzzle21]

Alex smith is a great guy , and this a steelers fan love these interviews very authentic! GRAHAM you will see me one day .

[@richardhsuh]

Hope you make it!

[@uzzle21]

Richard Suh thank you man alot check my video out on my channel.. tell me what you think , Purple shirt .

[@marcusamante5824]

Kept fighting, respect

[@kevinkaatz883]

What a cool, down to earth person

[@kevinkaatz883]

And he's got a lot of class for taking the high road, as he coulda thrown a ton of people under the bus. Now thats he's no longer with KC, i can root for him based solely off this interview

[@supmofo123]

Another great interview Graham

[@GrahamBensinger]

Thanks!

[@ianmorran2346]

Alex looks like he hasn't missed a shoulder day.

[@pmreviews8117]

He is like the Eric Forman of QB's

[@user-pg4qw4rk3q]

This is great

[@DesertEagle101]

I always like these interviews as Graham is very personable. Never knew much about Alex Smith except that early on in his career he really never was given a foundation to be successful to somehow was able to stick around 5/6 years til Harbaugh got it. That said he's not good at eye contact lol

[@pleaseawaken3376]

eye contact like trust should be earned not given freely

[@DocPetron]

Eye contact is overated. First, a lot of people look into the camera which is just bullshitting. Secondly, when I am constantly looking at someone when I'm talking, I'm not really thinking and reflecting. But hey, that's me. But getting back to Alex Smith, I feel that I underrated him. Rodgers should've been #1, but Smith should be a top 10 pick.

[@DannySayChow]

Dee Eagle the interviewer is great. He asks a question and let's the guy speak. I hate when I'm watching an interview and the interviewer keeps interrupting. This guy is good

[@musicguru6587]

I like the pocket on his shirt

[@citysquirrel7663]

What a great guy!

[@ajohnson2540]

His roommates knew he was goin to the league that’s why all the bills was in his name lol

[@loucasblooth]

Please tell me that his pocket is a drawing from one of his kids. If so, that's awesome, what a family man :)

[@camden6255]

Just got this recommended after he won cpoy. Best comeback in sports history in my opinion

[@smsmaco1927]

Press F for Alex Smith history 😖

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

I didn't know he came from a football family.

[@graylobo133]

Right?......

[@bradtaylor6139]

Dudes got a neck!!

[@DrDizfuntion]

Brad Taylor supplements 💊💊😂

[@danielramirez709]

Did he ever fix his credit???

[@amaxlite]

His contract should answer the question..

[@RETRO_BELL]

John L Smith is his uncle?

[@njacobdekelaita6198]

Here is why people lack self confidence. As great a ball player as he was at all levels but it sounds like he was looked at as mediocre and told as much. He deserves a lot better glad he played for Reid in KC too bad the greatest young QB maybe ever was drafted

[@marquezchapman8654]

Fr

[@0-Elias-0]

$48,000,000 will get you incredible credit. Companies will hardly care how bad your prior credit was. In fact, they might like to see bozo-like mistakes, because that'll yield larger profits.

[@Nick-vf3wf]

Ill never understand why SF picked alex over Aaron Rodgers..

[@IGtyi39AL78F56]

To bad he doesn't have a Super Bowl ring.

[@mitchfricano]

Right right right right right right.

[@ronaldchump273]

Great man,great athlete,but how many times did he say right? Lmao

[@mikemccabe1594]

Well that’s good because he never will again

[@dirtyswayze6017]

I hated him as a niner til he brought my niners to a championship game....and as soon as he has success in comes #7 and alex was pushed out the door. In a kc uniform I really felt he would bring them a ring. Alex in a nut shell is just ok not a great!

[@JB-qt3wo]

Alex Smith is not a likeable individual. Aaron Rodgers is more likeable.

[@poopmgee100]

Flirst

[@justthink5854]

nice guy. good football player, but like like like yknow, like like this guy isn't a leader.

[@NeonKC]

feel bad for the highschool valdictorian millionare...ok

[@roccocasazza4145]

Cool guy but stop rhetorically asking , "right?" after so many statements. Let the college kids and liberal talk show guests keep that lol