Video: Alex Smith, Reggie Bush highlights Watch the dynamic pair while starring at Helix High in San Diego.
The remarkable comeback tale of Alex Smith is being heard loud and clear today on his 36th birthday.
The Washington Redskins quarterback not only suffered a compound fracture of his right leg in a 2018 game against the Houston Texans but he almost lost his life when infections from multiple surgeries led to sepsis.
He hopes to resume his football career, which began during his high school days playing at
Helix (La Mesa, Calif.) with another future NFL standout Reggie Bush.
They are considered one of the best high school backfield duos in high school football history.
His days with Bush at Helix were iconic and almost perfect, leading the Scotties to two San Diego Section titles and a combined 25-1 record. Also president of his senior class and a scholar, Smith was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year twice and set a school record with six touchdown passes in one game.
It certainly helped to have Bush in the same backfield. Considered the No. 1 running back in the country by some recruiting services — No. 3 by 247Sports — Bush was the section's POY in 2002. He was also a track star and placed second at the state meet in the 100 meters. He had a personal best time of 10.42 seconds, ranking second in San Diego Section history.
As the video above reveals, Smith and Bush were absolute gamebreakers at Helix.
They continued that trend in college. Both Smith (Utah) and Bush (USC)
were 2004 Heisman finalists, the first high school teammates ever to be
so the same year.
The summer before Smith's injury at the American Century Golf Championship, Smith told
MaxPreps reporter Myckena Guerrero that his greatest high school memory was winning section titles at Qualcomm Stadium (now SDCCU Stadium).
"To achieve that as a group — a bunch of guys playing for each other — to go out and experience that and come out with a win, it was really, really special. I'll never forget the sacrifice you put in with that group of guys. It was really, really special."
At the same event, Bush joked about Smith being slow in high school.
Smith took the jab in good spirits.
"I was slower, but I wouldn't say I was super, super slow," Smith said. "I wasn't as fast as him. I was a late bloomer. I had big feet. I wasn't quick-footed definitely. But it sure helped having him in the backfield I'll tell you that."
