Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Praises Former Utes QB: ‘Nobody Better Than Alex Smith’
Feb 2, 2021, 3:17 PM
Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass as head coach Andy Reid looks on before the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid praised one of his former players saying “there’s nobody better than Alex Smith.”
Reid spoke about the Washington Football Team quarterback and his 2020 NFL comeback during a Super Bowl LV media availability session.
“There’s nobody better than Alex Smith, man. I’ll tell you, just one of my favorite guys,” Reid said. “All you had to do was watch that special (Project 11 documentary) on him and you fall in love with the guy. I had the chance to coach him so I kinda knew the man behind all that. If I had to predict how he’d attack an injury, that would be how he would do it. That’s his core right there.
Andy Reid speaks on @RiverboatRonHC and Alex Smith 🙏
📱: #SBOpeningNight — LIVE on Twitter pic.twitter.com/VkWcbUezqm
— NFL (@NFL) February 1, 2021
Alex Smith & Andy Reid
Reid, a former BYU football player and coach, was Smith’s head coach during the quarterback’s tenure with the Chiefs from 2013-17.
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During the five year span that the two were members of the same organization, Kansas City had an overall record of 53-27, including 1-4 in the postseason. Two of the seasons that the duo were together featured appearances in the AFC Divisional Round.
In 76 games as a member of the Chiefs, Smith threw for 17,608 yards, 102 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions with a completion rate of 65.1 percent.
Following the 2017 season, Kansas City traded the former Utah great to Washington.
"He could buy him a castle, and that wouldn't be enough to pay Alex Smith back for being in that room." Andy Reid on Mahomes learning from Smith. @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/Tja2ccBfJp
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 28, 2018
Alex Smith’s 2018 Injury
The former Utah signal-caller suffered a broken fibula and tibia during Washington’s game against the Houston Texans on November 18, 2018.
Doctors determined immediate surgery was required.
Days after the initial surgery, Smith developed a fever and his leg became infected with flesh-eating bacteria.
.@PatrickMahomes, @weddlesbeard, @jamthedirtybird, and others all tuned into #Project11. See what they had to say about Alex Smith and the @E60 documentary. #GoUtes #NFL https://t.co/5J5oZ4ol2V
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 2, 2020
Smith’s injury was so severe that it was considered a sports-related injury.
In total, the QB experienced 17 surgeries.
Alex Smith in 2020
Prior to the start of the 2020 season, Smith was cleared by doctors and earned a spot on Washington’s 53-man roster.
Midway through the season, he became Washington’s starting quarterback once again.
Few moments from the 2020 season were as remarkable as Alex Smith's return
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) January 13, 2021
He helped led Washington to the NFL Playoffs and posted a 5-1 record in the games he started.
The former Utah great was unable to play in Washington’s Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he suffered an injury late in the regular season.
While the team listed the ailment as a calf injury, 60 Minutes’ Norah O’Donnell reported that Smith’s injury was a bone bruise.
Norah O'Donnell of 60 Minutes reported Alex Smith suffered a bone bruise to his surgically repaired leg, and not a calf injury as it was labeled by the team.
Smith said last week it was "obviously a little more complicated than" a calf injury, but didn't specify what it was.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 18, 2021
Alex Smith’s NFL Career
Smith has played in the NFL since 2005. He was drafted out of Utah by the San Francisco 49ers with the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
He’s been a member of the Niners, Chiefs, and Washington Football Team.
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid talks about how his former QB Alex Smith helped his now QB Patrick Mahomes develop. He said Smith let Mahomes into his world and helped him learn about how to take care of his body, which is important. pic.twitter.com/f6oKl5rGhU
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) January 28, 2020
Through 174 career games, Smith has completed 62.6 percent of his throws for 35,650 yards, 199 touchdowns, and 109 interceptions.
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About Andy Reid
Reid played college football at BYU from 1978-80 and returned to Provo as a graduate assistant on BYU head coach LaVell Edwards’ staff.
After a few years of coaching college football, Reid accepted a position with the Green Bay Packers in 1992.
He received his first NFL head coach position with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. Reid led the Eagles to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX where they fell to the New England Patriots 24-21. After the 2012 season, Reid’s contract with the Eagles wasn’t renewed.
In 2013, he became the Chiefs’ head coach.
Last season, Reid led Kansas City to a 31-20 over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
HOW 'BOUT THOSE CHIEEEEEEEFS?!?!?!
📺: #SBLV 2/7 on CBS pic.twitter.com/hRHBho6oJI
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 25, 2021
Reid and the Chiefs will look to become the first NFL team to repeat as Super Bowl champs when they played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV on Sunday, January 24.
The game will take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, and will broadcast on CBS. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (MDT).
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
