Former NFL Player Alphonso Smith Jr. Dead at Age 40 After He Shared Distressing Social Media Post

Alphonso Smith Jr., a former NFL player for the Denver Broncos, has died at the age of 40.

Smith Jr., who was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft, died on Wednesday, September 2, TMZ reported. His death was reported hours after he shared a cryptic social media post.

“Do not cry for me! I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME!” he wrote via Facebook. “I did not want to be that WAY! I know I have disappointed so many folks. This is a DEMON in me! But not only me! It’s EVERYONE! I have HURT so many! I needed help & did not get it!”

Smith Jr. added, “I am so sorry! I am a piece of [expletive]! It’s a lot of you that are! I am A COWARD! A HUGE COWARD! I am so sorry.”

He went on to apologize to his children, friends, and family, and alluded to experiencing abuse as a child.

“Things happened to your boy, your brother while I was little that an older lady did onto me. As a result guys, I did the same onto others!” he wrote. “Please pray over your families! PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL I’ve affected! I am the WORST & I pray my soul rest in heaven for my heart is pure, but my BRAIN & experience is MESSED UP.”

Before entering the NFL draft, Smith Jr. was a star cornerback at Wake Forest University from 2004 to 2008. He was drafted to Denver with the 37th overall pick. He was traded to the Detroit Lions the following year, but his career would end in 2012.