Alex Smith on Surviving 17 Surgeries, 49ers & Harbaugh, Mentoring Mahomes, Purdy & Top NFL QBs | EP4

In Episode 4 of Real Ones: The League with Fred Warner and Alex Smith You Will See:

Alex Smith discuss a shattered leg, flesh-eating infection, and a choice between amputation and the long road back to recovery. Two San Francisco 49er legends get real as Alex Smith takes us inside the most honest definition of resilience you’ll ever hear; from expectations of being the no. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, imposter syndrome with the San Francisco 49ers, to Jim Harbaugh’s liberating “don’t worry” message, and Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid’s aggressive philosophy that ignited his confidence.

Alex opens up about mentoring a rookie Patrick Mahomes while staying present as the starting QB, his early experiences with a rookie tight end in Travis Kelce, and why elite leadership is about clarity, consistency, and letting people be themselves.

The conversation hits a new gear with the life-altering Washington injury and infection that nearly cost Alex Smith his life. Alex details the limb salvage surgeries and how military medicine at the Center for the Intrepid changed his mindset. Hearing his surgeon say “you’re good to go” brought fear, not relief, until his wife reframed the moment: the man in the hospital bed would have begged for this chance. Then came the first hit back from Los Angeles Rams future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald — and the most powerful play of his career: stepping back on the field.

We also dive into the state of quarterback play in the NFL this season — breaking down processing vs. arm talent, defensive disguises, and why pure progressions matter. Alex spotlights QB excellence from CJ Stroud, Justin Herbert, Brock Purdy, and Matthew Stafford while breaking down how elite rooms build trust and accountability.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - The Mindset of Growth
00:39 - Fred Warner Welcomes Alex Smith
01:56 - Life After Football: ESPN and Fatherhood
03:17 - Being the #1 Pick for the SF 49ers
07:13 - Facing Imposter Syndrome
10:14 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Jim Harbaugh’s Arrival
13:58 - The "Don't Worry" Philosophy
14:13 - College Days with Urban Meyer
18:14 - Turnaround at "The Stick" & The Saints Playoff Game
21:52 - Trading to Kansas City with Andy Reid
24:26 - A Young Travis Kelce
28:37 - Mentoring Patrick Mahomes
38:15 - The Move to Washington
40:17 - The Injury: November 18, 2018
43:11 - Septic Shock & 17 Surgeries
47:44 - Choosing Limb Salvage over Amputation
53:04 - Recovery at the Center for the Intrepid
58:30 - The Moment Elizabeth Smith Reframed Everything
01:03:00 - Returning to the Field: The First Hit
01:13:11 - "Better Than I Was Before"
01:19:52 - The Evolution of Modern QB Play
01:25:13 - Scouting Stroud, Herbert, Purdy and Stafford
01:31:06 - Fred Warner’s Top AP All-Pro Linebackers

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