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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 7: Linebacker Aldon Smith #99 of the San Francisco 49ers tries to amp up the crowd before a snap by the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter on October 7, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
On Saturday evening, the NFL world was rocked by the sudden and tragic passing of former San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Aldon Smith. A former first-round pick and a tremendous talent, Smith played for other franchises more recently but chose to make San Francisco his home, and clearly made an impact in the community there.
In fact, in Smith’s final hours, he was doing exactly that. On Saturday evening, he and a friend were delivering pizzas to a charity that feeds the homeless, mere hours before Smith’s death. It’s a testament to his character and his dedication to the San Francisco community.
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Aldon Smith #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a sack with teammate Ahmad Brooks #55 against the Baltimore Ravens during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Amir Shirazi, Smith’s friend, said he and Smith were feeding the homeless just before Smith’s untimely passing. The two men dropped 10 pizzas off at CHAM Deliverance Ministry, a local San Francisco charity that feeds the homeless.
“He was a very sweet, caring, loving giant,” Shirazi told the San Francisco Chronicle. “That if you really knew him, you’d know who he truly is.”
After dropping off the pizzas, Shirazi and Smith drove to Shirazi’s house, according to NBC. After going inside, Shirazi came out to find Smith slumped over in the front seat. No cause of death has been confirmed.
“He was perfectly fine an hour before,” Shirazi said. “I came out and he was basically dead in my front seat. I’m just in shock.”
“My impression was that this is a young man that wanted to help the homeless, which was great,” Wagers said. “When the 49ers and people like that want to help the community, that’s everything.”
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Aldon Smith #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after making a tackle against the Chicago Bears at Candlestick Park on November 19, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Smith spent his final hours serving his community. Giving back to the most vulnerable in San Francisco. Despite how horrifically unexpected his death was, there’s a certain poetic beauty in having your final act be something so selfless. Should we all get the chance for something so noble.
Rather than being remembered for his rocky NFL career or his personal struggles, it’s my hope at least that Smith’s legacy will be one of service, of giving back. He was a man who worked hard to turn his life around, help people around him, and teach the younger generations how to be a better man. According to NBC, Smith recently met with the 49ers’ rookie class to warn them not to make the same mistakes he did.
It makes his death all the more tragic, knowing the man Aldon Smith had become.
Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He's written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his Big Board was included in Arif Hasan's media consensus board for Wide Left in both 2025 and 2026. More about Ethan Woodie
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