Former Detroit Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith dies at age 40
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 4:34 AM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. died on Wednesday at the age of 40. Reports indicate Smith took his own life in a Florida housing community. Smith played for the Lions from 2010 to 2012, serving as a starter and leading the team in interceptions during the 2010 season. Prior to his professional career, he was a standout defensive back at Wake Forest, where he earned consensus first-team All-America honors and set an ACC record with 21 interceptions. He entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2009. His death follows the recent passing of former Lions associate coach Kippy Brown at age 71.
- •Alphonso Smith Jr. died Wednesday at age 40.
- •Smith played for the Detroit Lions from 2010 to 2012.
- •He set an ACC record with 21 interceptions while at Wake Forest.
- •The former cornerback was a second-round NFL draft pick for the Denver Broncos in 2009.
- 4:34 AMYahoo Sports — Tragedy Strikes As Former Lions Cornerback Dies At 40
"Not long after the tragic news that former Detroit Lions associate coach Kippy Brown passed away at the age of 71, the franchise was met with yet another sad notice that a former member of the club is no longer with us.Former Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr., who suited up for the franchise from 2010 […] The post Tragedy Strikes As Former Lions Cornerback Dies At 40 appeared first on HEAVY.
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