It’s been a week since the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft wrapped up, and while the Tennessee Titans were expected to pick Cam Ward as their number one overall choice, I think the reality is still sinking in for him.
That’s the thing about being the top pick; life changes in an instant, putting you in a very select group. The pressure starts mounting, and you have to perform. Otherwise, people will remember all the players drafted after you.
Those athletes I admired for how they handled such pressure often took longer to come to terms with their selection. Just look at how the San Francisco 49ers chose Alex Smith over Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 draft—it feels like ages ago, and yet, that’s 20 years in hindsight.
On the Friday morning following the draft’s first round, I had the chance to chat with Alex about his draft experience and his perspective on the league today. Here’s part of our discussion:
We had just marked the 20th anniversary of his selection, and honestly, time really does fly.
Of course, I brought this up with Alex, who reflected on how transformative that moment was for him.
“It was so surreal. It obviously changed my life. I’m 40 years old now.”
“That was a pivotal moment for me. Being on the front page of all the newspapers, representing the San Francisco 49ers at just 20, it’s a franchise steeped in quarterback history.”
“…As a 20-year-old navigating all of that… it’s just overwhelming. I don’t know how anyone prepares for it. It certainly changed my life and I never expected to have a 16-year career.”
While Smith was the right choice back in 2005, his true career didn’t start to flourish until around 2011. Looking back, I sometimes feel I’ve shown my age, having witnessed journeys I’ve never imagined. But you can’t afford to take it slow as the top pick today. Just think about the 2021 class and how their quarterbacks have fared. Trevor Lawrence is, in a sense, the standout, yet others like Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones are already struggling with their roles.
Alex Smith had an extraordinary career, especially considering the era he played in. Many remember him for the severe injuries he faced while playing for Washington, and his comeback story has been shared numerous times; it’s truly inspiring.
He triumphed over his struggles but didn’t do it without immense effort and introspection. During our conversation, Alex mentioned his doubts and the importance of discussing topics surrounding pain management. He highlighted the importance of initiatives like “Pain Game Planning,” which aims to unite athletes and non-athletes in developing personalized strategies for handling injuries.
For more on this partnership, visit www.paingameplan.com.
Thanks to Alex and the team at apex Pharmaceuticals for their contributions.
