Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. has died at 40. According to a report from TMZ, Smith died in Florida on Wednesday. Further information surrounding his death has not been made public.
Hours before his death, the former Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions player shared a concerning message on social media that appeared to reflect his emotional struggles.
In the post, Smith described battling what he called “demons,” referred to abuse he said he experienced as a child and called himself a “coward.” In the backdrop of the post, claims surfaced that Smith may have taken his own life. But an official cause of death has not been revealed.
Smith’s final Facebook post also included apologies to people he believed he had hurt and suggested that he had been seeking help. He ultimately ended the message with, “I am SORRY! THIS IS IT!”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S.
