The family of former NFL player Alphonso Smith Jr. suspects that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, may have contributed to his suspected suicide. Smith, 40, was found dead on September 2 in Pahokee, Florida. Authorities have not released an official cause of death.
His younger brother, Alkevius Smith, told the Daily Mail that his brother's brain is being studied for CTE. "We think it's a factor," Alkevius Smith stated.
Hours before police responded to a suspected suicide attempt at his home, Smith posted a disturbing message on Facebook. He referred to himself as a "coward" and "f kd up," apologizing to his children and hinting at childhood trauma. "To my kids, daddy is SO SORRY!" he wrote. "To my friends, I love you all, but your boy was f kd up!"
Smith also alluded to past abuse, stating, "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! Please forgive me!"
Smith, a former cornerback, played four seasons in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and the Detroit Lions, earning nearly $5 million. Court records obtained by the Daily Mail indicate he was experiencing significant financial difficulties, including being more than $47,000 behind on child support payments for his four children. He faced contempt proceedings for failing to meet his obligations.
Records show Smith was ordered to pay $735.68 per month plus retroactive support in March 2020 for one child, and by June of the current year, he owed $47,100 in arrears. For another child, he still owed $5,689 in unpaid support.
Smith had a notable college career at Wake Forest University, where he earned All-American honors and was later inducted into the school's hall of fame. He was drafted by the Broncos in 2009 and traded to the Lions the following year. After retiring from the NFL in 2012, he returned to his alma mater, Pahokee High School, as head football coach, but was dismissed in 2015 following allegations of inappropriate conduct.
His death follows that of Super Bowl winner Jordan Devey, who died by suicide in July at age 38. Devey's mother also expressed a belief that her son may have suffered from CTE. Studies suggest that CTE has been diagnosed in over 300 deceased former football players, with symptoms including memory loss, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The condition can only be definitively diagnosed after death.
A survey of former professional football players in September 2024 found that as many as one-third feared they had CTE symptoms, with over 230 respondents reporting suicidal thoughts. Notable former NFL players who died by suspected suicide and were later found to have CTE include Dave Duerson and Junior Seau. Vontae Davis, brother of Super Bowl winner Vernon Davis, also died in April 2024; his ex-wife noted that his post-NFL struggles, including mood changes and memory loss, were consistent with the symptoms of CTE.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 in the US. An online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.