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Former NFL passer Aldon Smith spent time on what would be the last day of his life donating food to a charity that feeds the homeless.
The San Francisco 49ers announced Saturday that Smith, who played in 50 games during his six-year career, had died at the age of 36. Just hours before he was found unconscious, Smith unexpectedly dropped off 10 pizzas at CHAM Deliverance Ministry, a San Jose, California, charity that feeds the homeless.
Amir Shirazi, a friend of Smith’s who came to make the surprise delivery Saturday, spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle about the charitable donation before sharing details of his discovery unconscious in his car.
Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers waits between drills during the team’s first training camp Thursday afternoon, July 24, 2014, in Santa Clara, California. (Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images)
49ERS ANNOUNCE DEATH OF ALDON SMITH AT 36, ONCE FASTEST PLAYER TO REACH 30 SACKS IN NFL HISTORY
“He was a very gentle, caring and loving giant,” Shirazi said. “That if you really knew him, you would know who he really is.”
After dropping off the pizzas, Shirazi drove them to a grocery store and then home. He told the outlet that he quickly ran inside to turn on some lights and when he returned to the car, Smith was slumped in his seat.
Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers runs during practice at the 49ers practice facility in Santa Clara on Wednesday, January 15, 2014. (LiPo Ching/MediaNews Group/Mercure News via Getty Images)
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“I got out and he was basically dead in my front seat,” Shirazi said. “I’m just in shock.”
Although Smith has a history of drug abuse, Shirazi said he did not see the former NFL player using drugs on Saturday and had only seen him smoke marijuana occasionally over the years. He said he believed Smith’s death was a “natural death.”
“I felt like he was a young man who wanted to help the homeless, which was awesome,” Scott Wagers, co-founder of CHAM Deliverance Ministry, told the outlet. “When the 49ers and people like that want to help the community, that’s it.”
Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers suits up for the team’s first practice of training camp Thursday afternoon, July 24, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) (Photo by Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images) ((Photo by Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images))
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Smith was drafted seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Missouri and made an immediate impact as a rookie, collecting 14.0 sacks and forcing two fumbles in 16 games. The following year, he set a 49ers franchise record with 19.5 sacks and was named first-team All-Pro while leading the team to Super Bowl XLVII.
Smith reached 30 career sacks in just 27 games, making him the fastest player in NFL history, breaking a record previously held by Hall of Famer Reggie White.
In 2013, Smith voluntarily entered rehab and missed five games. In 2014, he served a nine-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies.
In 2015, the 49ers released Smith in August after his third drunk driving arrest before he was signed a few weeks later by the Oakland Raiders.
Smith remained indefinitely suspended from the NFL for four full seasons while dealing with legal and personal issues. He made a return in 2020 and played a full season with the Dallas Cowboys, starting all 16 games.
