
Alex Smith
ESPN Broadcaster and Former NFL Quarterback
Alex Smith is a former #1 draft pick and NFL quarterback defined by grit and resilience, whose remarkable journey from a life-threatening injury to an unforgettable NFL comeback inspires perseverance, determination, and the power of overcoming adversity.
Bio
There is no better model for perseverance than Alex Smith. After suffering a life-threatening injury to his right leg that nearly resulted in amputation, Smith’s return to the field is regarded as one of the most iconic moments in football history.
Smith would complete his comeback in October of the 2020 season and go on to appear in eight games earning a 5-1 record in his first six starts. His determination and success earned him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year honor. His story of triumph and return was documented in a special edition of ESPN’s E60, Project 11 in May 2020, which highlighted how doctors and the Smith family had to make life-changing decisions due to a post-operative infection. His inspiring return to the field was also rewarded by the PFWA with the 2021 George Halas Award for overcoming adversity.
Smith retired from the NFL in April of 2021 after an incredible 16-year career, which began when he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the number one overall Draft pick in 2005. In his illustrious career, the California-native passed for more than 35,000 yards, threw nearly 200 touchdowns and appeared in more than 175 games. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2013, ’2016 and 2017.
Since retiring from football, Smith has showed no signs of slowing down. He joined ESPN in 2021 as an NFL analyst across a number of their properties including Monday Night Countdown, Sunday NFL Countdown, and SportsCenter.
Smith is a graduate of the University of Utah and was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2004 and lead Utah to a victory in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, finishing in the national top-five before declaring for the NFL draft.
Off the field, Smith is a dedicated husband, father and philanthropist as he founded The Alex Smith Foundation, which provides foster teens with the tools and resources needed to transition to successful adulthood.
Smith and his wife Elizabeth live in northern California with their three children.
Speakers
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Professional Race Car Driver, Team Owner, Broadcaster, Author, and Entrepreneur
Jim Nantz
3x Emmy Award Winner, 5x National Sportscaster of the Year, and Bestselling Author
Sharlee Jeter
President, Turn 2 Foundation, Inc. and VP of Strategy & Development, Jeter Ventures
Robin Roberts
Co-Anchor of “Good Morning America”, President of Rock’n Robin Productions, and Best-Selling Author
Roger Steele
Golf Enthusiast, Content Creator, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and TGL Host
Blake Griffin
14-year NBA Veteran, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, and 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30
Arielle Chambers
Multimedia Journalist, ESPN & Andscape Host, and Founder of HighlightHER
Richard Jefferson
ESPN and YES Network Analyst, NBA Today Studio Analyst, In-Game Color Analyst, and 17-Year NBA Veteran
Pat Connaughton
NBA Champion, Philanthropist, and Co-Founder & CEO of Three Leaf Partners
Russell Westbrook
Chairman of Russell Westbrook Enterprises, 2017 NBA MVP, Top 75 NBA Player of All-Time, and Philanthropist