Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. has reportedly died by suicide at the age of 40.
Smith, who played for the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, died Wednesday at a housing community in Florida, according to TMZ.
Earlier that day, a disturbing message appeared on Smith’s Facebook account in which he wrote about battling “demons,” apologized to loved ones and said he had been struggling with painful experiences from his past.
“I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME!” the post read.
Smith also referenced alleged abuse he experienced as a child and suggested that those experiences later affected his own behavior.
“To my family, BABY, my MOM, my siblings, things happened to your boy, your brother while I was little that an older lady did onto me,” he wrote. “As a result guys, I did the same onto others!”
He did not provide additional details about either allegation, but described himself as someone who “needed help & did not get it.”
Smith also apologized to his children, parents and friends, while writing about the mental and emotional struggles he had been facing.
The Florida native had an impressive football career before reaching the NFL.
Smith played college football at Wake Forest from 2004 through 2008, recording 188 total tackles and 21 interceptions during his four seasons.
The Denver Broncos selected him with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
After one season in Denver, Smith was traded to the Detroit Lions in 2010. He spent three seasons with Detroit before his NFL career came to an end following the 2012 season.
In all, Smith appeared in 42 NFL games and finished his professional career with 88 tackles and eight interceptions.
His death comes just over a month after another former NFL player, Super Bowl champion Jordan Devey, died by suicide at 38.
Devey’s wife, Lindsey, announced his death in an emotional Instagram post shared on what would have been the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary.
“We have filled the walls of our homes and hearts with countless memories, joys, struggles, and triumphs,” she wrote.
“We brought 4 beautiful children into this world that have your eyes, freckles, and compassion. You were our hero and our hearts ache in your absence. We love you. We miss you.”
A GoFundMe created for Devey’s family later confirmed that he had died by suicide and left behind his wife and four young children.
Devey entered the NFL as an undrafted player out of Memphis in 2013 and spent eight seasons in the league.
He played for the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills before retiring in 2021.
Over his career, Devey appeared in 44 regular-season games and made 21 starts while playing for the Patriots, 49ers, Chiefs and Raiders.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.