Joe Theismann tweets sympathies to Alex Smith 33 years after famous injury
James V. Biever / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury Sunday, 33 years to the day after fellow Washington Redskins passer Joe Theismann's career ended with a horrific leg injury of his own.
Theismann took to Twitter to express sympathy for Smith after the latter was carted off the field with his leg in a cast and his season presumably over:
Alex’s leg is exactly like mine 33 yrs ago
— Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) November 18, 2018
I feel so bad for him.
— Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) November 18, 2018
Theismann's injury - the result of New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor leaping on his back - occurred on national television and became an iconic moment in sports and TV history.
Theismann moved on to a role in broadcasting following his playing career.