ALEX Smith has spoken out after his daughter Sloane was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.
The former NFL star, 39, said he felt terrified after the seven-year-old received the shock diagnosis last year.
Alex Smith has opened up on the shock of his daughter’s brain tumor diagnosis.
Smith’s seven-year-old daughter Sloane collapsed last year and has since undergone two surgeries
Smith spent 16 years in the NFL as a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Washington Commanders.
He retired in 2021 and spoke of a desire to spend more time with his wife Elizabeth and their three children. But the family was rocked by the news of Sloane’s cancer just 13 months after Smith hung up his pads. Smith told The New York Times: “It’s different when it’s your little girl and you’re helpless with how terrifying that is.
“You just have no idea what it means. The words brain tumor are terrifying.” After collapsing in May 2022, Sloan was rushed to the hospital and immediately sent to the operating room for surgery. Her original operation lasted 10 hours, with doctors unable to remove the entire malignant tumor they discovered in her brain. Smith continued: “We found out last fall that essentially they had missed a piece, that there was a little piece in there left over.”
The seven-year-old required more surgery earlier this year, with the family now living “scan to scan.” Sloane has since suffered “two seizures,” but the family is hoping for a positive prognosis. Fans have sent support to Smith and his family after the emotional interview, with one saying: “Praying for her Alex.” Another added: “My deepest condolences. I pray that all works out.” And a third said: “God bless Alex Smith and his wonderful family.” Early last month, Smith’s wife Liz paid tribute to her daughter for being a “little fighter.” Writing on Instagram, she said: “Over the past year, our daughter Sloane has been a little fighter. “From 2 brain surgeries, therapies, countless MRI’s, blood draws, EEG’s, pokes, prods and a million doctors appointments. “One thing we know is she continues to fight and never lets her light dim. She shines bright and doesn’t let anything hold her down. “Never does a parent expect to fight this battle. “No parent is prepared to hear those words. But we continue to fight.” A Fiesta Bowl winner with Utah, Smith was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
He spent the first seven years of his NFL career at the 49ers, before spells with the Chiefs and finally in his home state with the Commanders. Smith passed for 35,650 yards and 199 touchdowns during his 16-season career, reaching the Pro Bowl on three occasions. He battled significant setbacks himself, requiring 18 surgeries after a significant injury to his right leg in 2018 that almost resulted in amputation. The 6-foot-4 Bremerton native fought back to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2020 after leading Washington to their division title.
