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Alex Smith feels ‘really good’ after getting sacked 6 times in his return

By JP Finlay

Alex Smith feels ‘really good’ after 6 sacks in his return originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Alex Smith made his historic comeback Sunday and while it was incredible, there were some legit scary moments. 

In a little more than a half of football, Smith got sacked six times and hit a bunch more. For plenty of fans and just normal humans, it was nerve-wracking to watch Aaron Donald and the Rams defensive line crush Smith knowing how far he’d fought back to get healthy after a devastating leg injury nearly two years ago. 

Good news everyone — Smith feels fine. 

“I’m feeling really good,” he said on Tuesday. “It was amazing to be out there.”

Smith’s comments come via Washington Football Today with Julie Donaldson and the full interview can be seen on NBC Sports Washington on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. The crux of Smith’s comments explain that he was happy to get back on the field, even if it came with a bit of a beating. 

“It was nice to get the first one out of the way. I didn’t know Aaron Donald was going to jump on my back like that, but if it’s got to go one way that’s not a bad way,” Smith said. “After the first one I was fine but I didn’t want the next five.”

Ever since Smith suffered a compound fracture to his right tibia and fibula in November 2018, his return to the football field has floated somewhere between impossible and long shot. Even this summer when Smith made Washington’s active roster, the 53-man final roster, most folks scoffed at the idea of the veteran QB ever actually playing again. 

“For me it was something although I was obviously shooting for and putting in everything I have, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a lot of doubt that day would ever come,” Smith said. 

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The day came, and it wasn’t pretty, but it was incredible nonetheless. 

“That feeling again of being on the edge, out there living,” he said, “that’s why I’ve been trying for this for so long.”

For Smith, however, the accomplishment of just getting back on the field will soon wear off. If it hasn’t already.

He had little time to throw against Los Angeles, but even then, the Washington offense’s stagnant performance will be upsetting for a perfectionist like Smith. 

Washington Football coach Ron Rivera made clear that Smith will remain the backup to Kyle Allen, assuming he gets medically cleared, but considering the way things have gone for the Burgundy and Gold, it would be hard to think Smith doesn’t get on the field again. 

“For me it was so nice to get done with that part of it,” Smith said, explaining that he proved to himself and the world he can handle the “physicality” of playing in the NFL. 

The next step for Smith, however, is improved play. 

This is a former No. 1 overall pick. A 15-year veteran with three Pro Bowl trips. An alpha competitor every time he steps on the field. 

“When you go out there you want to go out there and play well,” Smith said. 

 

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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