Pahokee football coaches, players mourn Alphonso Smith Jr.’s death

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PAHOKEE — Members of the Pahokee football program took time Thursday night to mourn former player and head coach Alphonso Smith Jr., who died at the age of 40 on September 2.

Smith’s death was by suicide, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a statement sent to E! News, in a tragic end to a troubled life.

Out in Pahokee, where he won a state championship as the Blue Devils’ quarterback in 2003 and later returned to coach, the positive effect he had on the youth felt closer to home than the numerous allegations that followed him.

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Following the Blue Devils’ high school football victory over visiting Benjamin on Sept. 3, Pahokee head coach Carlos Lammons struggled to put on a smile as he walked toward a postgame interview.

It was clear Smith’s death was impacting many in the stadium that night, Lammons included.

“You know, we were really close, man,” Lammons said. “I’m the president of the youth organization over here and he was our football commissioner. So we work hand-in-hand every day. The kids feel it, the community feels it, I feel it.”

Following the Thursday night victory, Lammons called for a final tribute to Smith’s influence on the community in the postgame breakdown.

“Thank you, Coach ‘Zo,” the players all chanted before dispersing.

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One of those who took the field was perhaps more affected than most. While many referred to Smith as “Coach,” Mari Singleton knew him as “Uncle.”

So when it looked like there was extra fire behind Singleton’s screen catch-and-run and his third-quarter touchdown, it’s because there was.

“The reason I had a chip on my shoulder is because my uncle passed away, Alphonso Smith,” Singleton said. “He was close to me and a funny, funny person. I always laughed and giggled with him, and he held a special place in my heart.

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After his career as one of Palm Beach County’s most dynamic players, Smith starred at Wake Forest and was later drafted No. 37 overall by the Denver Broncos in 2009. He played one season in Denver before joining the Detroit Lions, lining up as a cornerback and kick returner in the NFL.

Across his four-year career, he tallied 88 tackles and eight interceptions in 42 games played.

What followed was a foray into coaching that yielded headlines for reasons good and bad.

Smith served as a coach at Moore Haven before later coaching at Pahokee. He was dismissed as the Blue Devils’ head coach in 2015 amid allegations of inappropriate conduct. The criminal investigation did not lead to a conviction, though he was convicted of domestic battery against an ex-girlfriend the following year.

Smith was then hired to lead Inlet Grove for the 2021 season before he and the school “mutually agreed” to part ways.

Still, Smith was welcomed back into the Muck community with open arms, where he served with the youth organization and continued to work with young athletes.

In the days prior to his death, Smith was seen celebrating with Pahokee players on the field following the wild “Hail Mary” victory over Royal Palm Beach on August 28. Smith posted a video to his personal Facebook page the following morning showing himself celebrating at the doorstep of Pahokee player Corian Davis, who caught the game-winning score.

In the win over Benjamin, Pahokee quarterback Braylon Peterson donned eye black that read “RIP Coach Alphonso Smith.”

“He means a lot to me,” Peterson said. “When I first came here, he was one of the first coaches that came up to me and introduced himself. He gave me a lot of tips. Last week, he came out and I was very happy to see him. I talked to him and he worked with me on quarterback drills over there,” he said, pointing to a spot on the field.

“It hurts a lot,” he continued. “This season will definitely be for him.”

As an individual, Smith generated his fair share of division. But at least within the Pahokee community, where he grew up, there are reminders that his complicated legacy still carried numerous moments of positive change.

“Alphonso Smith was a pillar in our community,” Lammons said. “He did a lot of work with the football organizations. He meant a lot to the area. He’ll truly be missed. There is a lot of people that care about him. Hopefully, he’s at peace. You know, whatever decision he decided to make, hopefully he’s at peace with it.”

Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@usatodayco.com.