Tom Brady met Alex Smith after the Buccaneers' Wild Card win and told him his comeback was an 'inspiration'

• After the Wild Card, Tom Brady told Alex Smith that he was an "inspiration" for his comeback season.

• Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury in 2018 that led to 17 surgeries and nearly required the amputation of his leg.

• Smith missed the Wild Card game because of a calf injury, but he is the favorite for Comeback Player of the Year.

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Tom Brady didn't get to play against Alex Smith in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Wild Card win over the Washington Football Team, but he did make sure to deliver a message to Smith after the game.

Brady was mic'd up for the game. A video showed him meeting Smith at mid-field after the game and telling him he was an "inspiration" for his comeback season.

"Hey, I'm so proud of you, bro," Brady said. "You're unbelievable, you know that? You're an inspiration to all of us."

Brady also told Smith he was around if Smith ever needed something.

Smith did not get to play in the Wild Card game because of a calf injury. He was instead replaced by Taylor Heinicke, a last-minute free agent signing who played admirably against Brady and the Bucs.

However, Smith is likely the favorite for Comeback Player of the Year after returning to the field following a gruesome leg injury in 2018 and 17 surgeries to repair and clean up the injury. Smith nearly had to have his leg amputated and nearly even lost his life.

Smith's wife, Elizabeth, made a trophy for Smith out of the leg braces he had to use.

Smith played in eight games in 2020, throwing for 1,582 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions while completing 66.7% of his passes.

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