Helix alum Smith sidelined for NFL playoff game

Photo courtesy Washington Football Team Alex Smith’s 2020-21 NFL season ended on the sidelines.

Helix High School alumnus Alex Smith’s latest NFL season ended on the sidelines as the Washington Football Team lost, 31-23, to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Saturday on national television.

Smith, a 16-year veteran quarterback, had helped Washington secure the 2020-21 NFC East championship and a berth in the playoffs.

He battled through a strained calf injury in a 20-14 victory at Philadelphia on Jan. 4, also on national television, to enable Washington to clinch the NFL’s final playoff berth. But he was unable to recover in a week’s time and was not activated for the playoff game.

Smith, 36, finished 5-1 as a starter for Washington this season, helping the team reverse a 2-7 start. He passed for 1,582 yards with six touchdowns.