Smith’s remarkable recovery revealed

Graphic images of Alex Smith’s right leg will make you cringe, and emotional interviews will leave you floored by his harrowing tale.

A retrospective on his NFL career, that began with the 49ers 15 years ago, might be just what you need for an inspiring outlook not just on his comeback but your own life.

Smith’s death-defying recovery from a leg injury is captured in all-encompassing, all-access ESPN special titled “Project 11” that airs Friday at 4:30 p.m.

You hear from Smith, his caring wife, Elizabeth, his concerned parents, his determined medical staff and many more, including wounded war veterans, because Smith’s “limb” injury is compared to those in combat. Smith’s NFL journey is not over, not yet. It all began as the 49ers’ No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005. Through the trials and tribulations since then, none match what he’s endured since a November 2018 sack with then-first place Washington.

He did not merely sustain a spiral, compound fracture. Severe infection and sepsis ensued. Four types of bacteria attacked his leg, including a flesh-eating type. Images of his leg weren’t seen by the public for over a year, and you’ll understand why.

“We wanted it to be authentic,” said Stephania Bell, ESPN’s injury analyst and its Project 11 reporter. “Alex said, ‘I want you guys there for the good and the bad.’ His path was really uncertain. It wasn’t like he was coming back from an ACL (knee injury).

“He said it wouldn’t be real if we weren’t there for everything.”

The hour-long show offers behind-the-scenes video of highly personal moments, including many of Smith in the hospital and many other tear-jerking moments, as captured by both the Smiths and ESPN’s E60 crew that came aboard in January 2019.

Only select news organizations, including this one, were allowed to screen Project

11.

Bell, who grew up in Palo Alto and Mountain View, drew upon her background as a physical therapist to swiftly translate the show’s medical jargon. Along the way, the Smith family opened their doors to a wounded quarterback’s pain and recovery.

Smith, 35, is indeed surviving and remarkably attempting to resume his career with Washington.