Alex Smith’s career cannot be measured in touchdowns or interceptions, quarterback rating or draft position.
Instead, it should be measured by two numbers: 17 and eight. As in, the number of surgeries he needed to save not only his leg but his life, and the number of games he played in afterward.
Smith, who announced his retirement Monday with a moving Instagram post, reminded us last season why we love sports. Why we continue to watch even when our teams have no hope of winning or the power brokers do everything they can to turn us off.
Sports offer us the possibility of the unimaginable. The idea that if we work hard enough and dedicate ourselves fully, we can achieve anything. Overcome whatever obstacle stands in our way.
That’s not true, of course. Some challenges really are insurmountable, for any number of reasons. Biology, economics, bias, timing. We can do everything right, everything within our power, and there will still be external factors that will remain stubbornly beyond our control.
Dwell too long on all those reasons we can’t, or we shouldn’t, and we eventually cease wanting to try.
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