NFL star Aldon Smith's sweet act of kindness before shock death at 36
On 13 June, Aldon Smith, who played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Dallas Cowboys, died after completing one final act of kindness at the age of 36.
According to his friend Amir Shirazi, the sportsman, described as a ‘very sweet, caring and loving giant’, met him in San Jose wearing a New York Knicks jersey just hours before his death.
The sports star, who exited the NFL after being released by the Seattle Seahawks in August 2021, met up with members of the CHAM Deliverance Ministry to distribute 10 Little Caesars pizzas to people without homes.
CHAM Pastor Scott Wagers, who was present at the charitable event, described Smith as a ‘very humble soul, a gentle soul’.
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"You could tell he was an athlete because his size and his presence,” he explained to NBC.
“In trying to do something, I could tell, it was just the way he looked, the way he, you know, you get people’s energy when you’re close to them. I just felt like he was just trying to do something with his life.”
He continued, saying that it was ‘jaw-dropping’ to learn that Smith died around 90 minutes after completing the charitable act.
Meanwhile, Shirazi touched on Smith’s off-field troubles during his NFL career, claiming he only ‘lost control’ of himself after making ‘a lot of money’.
“You give a bunch of guys in their 20s a lot of money, and they lose it,” he warned.
The defensive lineman’s pal told the San Francisco Chronicle that he was ‘joking about life and talking about stuff’ before Smith was found dead in his van.
After being found, he was taken to San Jose’s Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His cause of death has yet to be made public. His family have hired attorneys to help investigate his death, as per ESPN.
"As with anyone who dies so suddenly at such a young age, we understand that there is a great deal of interest in and speculation about Aldon Smith's passing and we intend to get to the bottom of it," attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers and Wayne Kendall said in a statement.
"To that end, we have taken a number of steps including sending his brain to Boston where medical experts will examine it for CTE as well as other damage caused by years of concussions and additional trauma.
"In the meantime, we simply ask you to keep Aldon's family in our prayers and respect their privacy as they struggle to come to grips with this terrible loss.”
Smith’s death was announced by the 49ers, who drafted him to the team in 2011.
“Aldon's undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organisation, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen," a statement read.
“Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into.”
Tributes have poured in following Smith’s death, with former teammate and NFL Hall of Famer Patrick Wills writing: “Aldon, you are free now. That’s all any of us really want at the end of the day – to be free to be.
“Selfishly, we all wish you were still here with us, fighting the good fight of faith. I’ll tell you this – there was nothing like watching you get those sacks and then break out that dance, with that big, infectious smile radiating across the entire sideline, the crowd, and the whole squad. Man, what a sight.”
He added: “You brought an energy that couldn’t be contained and a joy that people were naturally drawn to.”
Meanwhile, former 49ers coach and current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said in a press conference that Smith was a ‘great friend [and a] great teammate’.
“I mean, there were times I thought he was hard on himself, but mostly always a wonderful person to others,” he commented. “Even reported right up until the time that he passed. So pray and pulling hard for Aldon to rest in peace.”
Ella Scott