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“How Humiliating”: Ex-49ers QB Alex Smith Makes Honest Admission About Being Benched for Colin Kaepernick During Super Bowl

Alex Smith was 6-2 as the San Francisco 49ers’ starter in 2012 when a Week 10 concussion opened the door for Colin Kaepernick. Smith recovered, but he never got his job back, and he watched from the sideline as Kaepernick…

By Ishani Jayara · Essentially Sports

Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 1:04 AM

Key Things to Know

Alex Smith described being benched for Colin Kaepernick during Super Bowl XLVII as humiliating.
Smith only took the field during the Super Bowl for the coin toss as a team captain.
A Week 10 concussion against the St. Louis Rams originally cost Smith his starting quarterback job.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith opened up on Bussin' With The Boys about the frustration of losing his starting role to Colin Kaepernick in 2012. Smith described walking out only for the coin toss as a team captain at Super Bowl XLVII as humiliating after having to watch the game entirely from the sideline.

Smith had led the team to a 6-2 start before sustaining a concussion against the St. Louis Rams. Head coach Jim Harbaugh opted to stick with Kaepernick, leading to a Super Bowl appearance against the Baltimore Ravens and Smith's eventual trade to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Read the full article on Essentially Sports