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Former NFL pass rusher 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, 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 picked up Saturday to make the surprise delivery, spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle about the charitable donation before sharing the details of how he found him unconscious in his car.
Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers waits between drills at the team’s first practice of 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 AGE 36, ONCE THE FASTEST PLAYER TO REACH 30 SAKS IN NFL HISTORY
“He was a very sweet, loving, caring giant,” Shirazi said. “That if you really knew him, you would know who he really is.”
After dropping off the pizzas, Shirazi took them to a grocery store and then back to her house. He explained to 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.
San Francisco 49ers’ Aldon Smith runs during practice at the 49ers’ training facility in Santa Clara, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. (LiPo Ching/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images)
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“I got out and he was basically dead in my front seat,” Shirazi said. “I’m shocked.”
While Smith has a history of substance abuse, Shirazi said he had not seen the former NFL player use 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.”
“My impression was that this was a young man who wanted to help the homeless, which was great,” 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 on 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 selected seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Missouri and made an immediate impact as a rookie, racking up 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 to do so, 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 violations of the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
In 2015, the 49ers released Smith in August following his third DUI arrest before he was signed by the Oakland Raiders weeks later.
Smith remained suspended indefinitely from the NFL for four full seasons while dealing with legal and personal issues. He returned in 2020 and played a full season with the Dallas Cowboys, starting all 16 games.
