Alex Smith Married a Cheerleader and Became a Dad of Three — Meet the NFL Player's Family

Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith, who has made it into the Pro Bowl three times, shares three children with former cheerleader Elizabeth Barry.

Alex Smith has been active in the NFL since 2005 when the San Francisco 49ers selected him from the University of Utah. Smith was the first overall pick in that year's draft.

[Smith and Barry] managed to keep their rivalry aside to favor their romance.

ALEX SMITH'S CAREER

The quarterback stayed with the team until 2013 when he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where his career skyrocketed. In the five years that he played for the Chiefs, Smith averaged over 3,500 passing yards per season.

It was also during that period that he was selected to three Pro Bowls – 2013, 2016, and 2017. In his final year with the Chiefs, 2017, Alex Smith led the NFL in passer rating, as well.

In 2018, he was traded to the Washington Redskins. Unfortunately, he has failed to impress there because of an injury he suffered that same season in the middle of a game versus the Houston Texans.

As ESPN described it, it all happened in November 2018 when JJ Watt and Kareem Jackson tackled Smith, causing the compound fracture (also known as an open fracture) of his right tibia and fracture of his right fibula.

ALEX SMITH'S INJURY

The reason why compound fractures are so dangerous is that, due to the presence of an open wound, the risk of infection significantly increases. Unfortunately, Alex Smith's contracted a "pretty serious" infection.

Since he developed sepsis, doctors struggled a lot to save not only his leg but also his life. To cease the pain, they put the quarterback under heavy sedation, which is why some of his memories of his stay in the hospital were limited.

When Smith woke up, he learned that doctors were contemplating the idea of amputation. They discussed it with him, of course, and he chose to save his leg. After plenty of surgeries and months of rehab, he is a lot better, but he has not returned to the field yet. About the whole ordeal, Smith said:

"[I'm] so thankful for everyone that's had a hand in this. My wife, kids, and family and doctors and nurses and PTs and trainers and so many people that have helped me."

ALEX SMITH'S WIFE AND KIDS

Speaking of Alex Smith's wife, she is Elizabeth Barry, a former Los Angeles Raiders' cheerleader. She met Smith when he was playing for the San Francisco 49ers, and they managed to keep their rivalry aside to favor their romance.

The couple's first date reportedly took place at a St. Patrick's Day Festival in San Jose, California. Later, they were joined by Smith's best friend, David Edwards, and they all ate dinner.

In 2007, Smith and Barry got engaged. Two years later, they tied the knot at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Unfortunately, Edwards couldn't see his friends walking down the aisle because, in 2008, he died by suicide. Barry was by Smith's side throughout his grieving process, and they honored their late friend at their wedding.

ALEX SMITH WAS CLEARED TO PLAY

Nowadays, Elizabeth Barry and Alex Smith share three kids, sons Hunter and Hayes, and daughter Sloane. During an interview with WUSA9, the quarterback opened up on how fatherhood changed him, and he admitted that it made him a better person.

For him, the most important aspect of being a parent is being an example for his children, especially because they see and want to repeat everything he does.

In August 2020, Smith made headlines after his surgical team cleared him for football activity.

To commemorate such a huge milestone, the quarterback's family spayed him with champagne, and Barry uploaded a video of the celebration online. The clip soon went viral, and her caption read:

"Hard work pays off! Lots to celebrate in the Smith house tonight."

The NFL's 2020 season is expected to start on September 10, so we still need to wait a long time to see Alex Smith playing professionally again. The Washington Redskins will start full-pads practices at training camp on August 18, though.