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Alphonso Smith, Former Wake Forest Star and NFL Defensive Back, Dies at Age 40

Alphonso Smith, a former Wake Forest standout and NFL defensive back, has died at the age of 40.

Mahbeez Parbeen | | 2 min read

Alphonso Smith, Former Wake Forest Star and NFL Defensive Back, Dies at Age 40
AI Generated | Minutebrief Team

In Brief

  1. Alphonso Smith, former Wake Forest All-America defensive back, died at age 40.
  2. He played four seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions.
  3. Authorities and news reports confirmed he died of an apparent suicide in Florida.
  4. Sports and football communities have paid tribute following his passing.


Alphonso Smith Jr., a former standout defensive back, passed away on September 2, 2026, at the age of 40. Smith made his mark as a consensus All-American at Wake Forest University, where he set the ACC career interception record. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft and went on to play four professional seasons with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions.

According to reports, Smith died by suicide at a housing community in Florida shortly after sharing a message on social media detailing personal and mental health struggles.

News of his death has brought widespread tributes from the college and NFL communities.

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