Learning from Alex Smith's Mental Game
What Iowa Sports Prep students learn from the ultimate comeback
The 60-Second Story
Alex Smith's leg was shattered in a 2018 game—broken in two places with a compound fracture so severe that doctors considered amputation. The infection that followed nearly killed him. He underwent 17 surgeries over two years.
In 2020, Alex Smith returned to the NFL. He not only played—he won. The NFL named him Comeback Player of the Year in one of the most remarkable recoveries in sports history.
Smith's story isn't about football. It's about refusing to accept what seems inevitable. It's about choosing to fight when giving up would be completely understandable.
What Your Child Will Learn
| Lesson | The Principle |
|---|---|
| Process Over Outcome | Smith focused on the next step, not the end goal. "Can I walk today?" not "Can I play again?" Massive goals become achievable through micro-progress. |
| Control What You Can | Smith couldn't control his injury, the infection, or the prognosis. He controlled his attitude, his effort in rehab, and his daily choices. |
| Embrace the Uncomfortable | Recovery required constant discomfort. Smith learned to view discomfort as progress rather than punishment. |
| Why Matters | Smith's motivation wasn't football—it was showing his kids what perseverance looks like. Having a reason beyond yourself provides fuel when personal motivation fades. |
| One Day at a Time | When the comeback seemed impossible, Smith focused only on today. "What can I do right now?" |
The Story Behind the Lessons
The Injury
November 18, 2018. A routine scramble became a nightmare. Two defenders hit Smith simultaneously, and his leg bent in a direction legs aren't supposed to bend.
The compound fracture was visible through his sock. In the operating room, doctors discovered the extent: spiral fracture of the tibia and fibula. Then came the infection—flesh-eating bacteria that nearly claimed his leg and his life.
The 17 Surgeries
Over two years, Smith underwent 17 surgeries. Doctors rebuilt his leg piece by piece. Multiple skin grafts. Removal of infected tissue. Each surgery was a setback that required re-learning basic movements.
Through it all, Smith maintained his focus on process. Not "Will I play again?" but "Can I take one more step today?"
The Why
Smith admitted that playing football again wasn't his primary motivation. His children were. He wanted them to see their father fight, to learn that setbacks don't define you, that persistence matters more than circumstances.
This "why" carried him through moments when personal ambition would have faded. When you're fighting for something bigger than yourself, you find reserves you didn't know existed.
The Return
October 2020. Alex Smith took the field for the Washington Football Team. He not only played—he won. His team made the playoffs. He was named Comeback Player of the Year.
The leg that doctors considered amputating carried him to victory.
The Smith Challenge
| Day | Challenge |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify a setback you've faced. Write down what you CAN control about your response to it. |
| 2-5 | Focus only on today's progress. What one thing can you do today to move forward? |
| 6-8 | Embrace discomfort as progress. When something feels hard, remind yourself: this is growth. |
| 9-11 | Identify your "why"—something bigger than yourself that motivates your effort. |
| 12-14 | Review your daily progress. Small steps accumulated become massive change. |
| Final | Create a 60-second "You Teach" video: What Alex Smith taught you about comeback. |
In Their Own Words
"When you can't control what's happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond."
"I focused on what I could do today, not what I couldn't do yet."
"My kids needed to see their dad fight."
FAQs
Q: My child hasn't faced anything as serious as Smith's injury. Is this still relevant?
A: Absolutely. The principles—process focus, controlling what you can, finding your "why"—apply to any setback: not making the team, recovering from a bad game, dealing with academic struggles. The scale is different, but the psychology is the same.
Q: How do I help my child find their "why"?
A: Ask them: "Who are you doing this for besides yourself?" It might be family, teammates, a coach who believed in them, or a community. Having a reason beyond personal achievement provides fuel when self-motivation fades.
Q: What if my child wants to give up after a setback?
A: That's natural. The key is helping them focus on one day at a time—not the whole mountain, just today's step. Small progress compounds. Smith didn't aim for "playing in the NFL again"—he aimed for "taking one more step."
Related Athletes
- Tyson Fury — Mental health and comeback from rock bottom
- Rory McIlroy — Processing failure publicly and bouncing back
- Tom Brady — Controlling the controllables
Why Smith Matters for Iowa Kids
Alex Smith's comeback is one of the greatest in sports history—not because of what he achieved, but because of what he overcame. Doctors considered amputating his leg. He played professional football on it two years later.
Iowa kids will face setbacks. Maybe not as dramatic as Smith's, but setbacks that feel devastating in the moment. Smith's example shows that the size of the setback doesn't determine the outcome—your response does.
The "one day at a time" principle is especially relevant for young athletes who get overwhelmed by the distance between where they are and where they want to be. Focus on today. The rest will follow.
That's what ISP teaches. That's what your child will learn.