Former NFL cornerback Alphonso Smith Jr. has died by suicide at the age of 40, reportedly passing away at a housing community in Florida on Wednesday. His death came shortly after a disturbing final Facebook post referencing childhood trauma and "demons", in which he apologised to his family and children before writing "THIS IS IT!"

Smith Jr., a Florida native, played college football at Wake Forest between 2004 and 2008, recording 188 tackles and 21 interceptions, before the Denver Broncos selected him with the 37th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He was later traded to the Detroit Lions, where he spent three seasons before retiring after 2012, having played in 42 NFL games with 88 tackles and eight interceptions. His death follows that of Super Bowl champion Jordan Devey, who also died by suicide last month at the age of 38, leaving behind his wife and four children.