Ex-Chiefs QB Alex Smith returns from gruesome injury. His old pals in KC are thrilled

Though Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly the favorite quarterback of Kansas City Chiefs fans everywhere, there’s also no doubt Alex Smith falls not far below him on that list.

After a stressful year with plenty of complications from a gruesome broken leg, Smith is back in action. And his former Chiefs teammates couldn’t be happier for him.

“I was very fortunate to have a great quarterback in Alex Smith. I’ve always thought very highly of him, and I’m excited to see what he’s got going out in Washington right now,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said.

Smith suffered a broken leg during a game in 2019 followed by serious infections, which led 17 surgeries and the consideration of amputation by his wife and doctors, based on ESPN’s “Project 11” documentary. The injuries shown in the documentary were graphic, and Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz said he couldn’t watch it because he doesn’t like seeing injuries like that.

“It’s really impressive that he’s gotten all the way back,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz played with Smith for two years before Smith was traded to Washington and Mahomes became Kansas City’s new star.

He saw the work Smith put in, especially when someone said he couldn’t do it.

“We all know the kind of worker he is and the kind of guy he is,” Schwartz said. “The past couple years, we’ve heard Pat talking about how much of his career has been shaped by Alex, so it doesn’t really surprise any of us that he’s gotten himself back to this point.”

Mahomes has credited Smith as a key factor in the accolades that he his teammates have achieved following Smith’s time in Kansas City. He told NBC Sports Washington that he wouldn’t be the player he is without Smith’s leadership.

“I learned a ton from Alex Smith,” Mahomes told NBC Sports Washington in February. “I attribute a lot of my success, especially so early in my career, to him.”

So, despite the fact that he’s playing for a team on the East Coast, the support of Smith from Arrowhead Stadium is still present today.

“When he puts something in his head, and he wants to challenge himself, we’ve seen it time and time again — he’s going to do it,” Schwartz said. “It’s definitely not surprising. It’s obviously really great to see him and that he’s healthy enough to be able to play football again.”