Aldon Smith's Final Days: Feeding the Homeless Before Tragedy

WHO:

Heavy NFL - Aldon Smith, a former San Francisco 49ers edge rusher.

Fox News - Amir Shirazi, a friend of Aldon Smith.

Fox News - Scott Wagers, co-founder of CHAM Deliverance Ministry.

WHAT:

Fox News - Smith was a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, selected with the seventh overall pick.

CNN - Smith recorded 14 sacks as a rookie, finishing second to Von Miller in voting for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

CNN - Smith's 33 1/2 sacks in his first two seasons are the most in NFL history.

CNN - Smith had 3 1/2 sacks in the playoffs during the 2013 season.

CNN - Smith finished his career with 52 1/2 sacks in 75 games.

Fox News - Smith was declared dead on arrival at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California.

Fox News - Smith played in 50 games during his six-year career in the NFL.

NBC Sports - Smith's friend Amir Shirazi stated, "He was perfectly fine an hour before," indicating his shock at finding Smith unresponsive shortly after their pizza donation.

NBC Sports - Scott Wagers, co-founder of CHAM Deliverance Ministry, described Smith as "a young man that wanted to help the homeless."

NBC Sports - Smith reportedly visited the 49ers’ facility to talk to the 49ers’ rookies recently, as part of his efforts to encourage younger players to follow the right path.

TMZ - A video surfaced showing Aldon Smith in a reflective mood while getting a haircut just days before his death.

Fox News - Smith played a full season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, starting in all 16 games.

Fox News - Aldon Smith died at the age of 36.

Fox News - Smith donated 10 pizzas to CHAM Deliverance Ministry, a charity that feeds the homeless, on the day of his death.

Daily Mail Sports - Smith played 75 games in the NFL between 2011 and 2020.

Fox News - Smith was the fastest player in NFL history to reach 30 career sacks, achieving this in just 27 games.

WHERE:

Daily Mail Sports - Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California, where Smith was declared dead.

Fox News - CHAM Deliverance Ministry, a charity located in San Jose, California.

WHEN:

Fox News - Smith was drafted seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Fox News - Smith set a franchise record with 19.5 sacks in the year following his rookie season.

Fox News - Smith entered rehab voluntarily in 2013 and missed five games that season.

Fox News - Smith served a nine-game suspension in 2014 for violations of the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies.

Fox News - Smith was released by the 49ers in August 2015 following his third DUI arrest.

WHY:

NBC Sports - Amir Shirazi stated, "He was a very sweet, caring, loving giant," emphasizing Smith's character and desire to help the homeless.

NBC Sports - Shirazi believes Smith's death was due to natural causes.

NBC Sports - Amir Shirazi stated, "He was perfectly fine an hour before," indicating his shock at finding Smith unresponsive shortly after their pizza donation.

Fox News - Amir Shirazi described Smith as "a very sweet, caring, loving giant," emphasizing his desire to help the homeless.

Fox News - Amir Shirazi stated that Smith had a history of substance abuse but had not seen him use drugs on the day of his death, suggesting it may have been a "natural death."

HOW:

NBC Sports - Shirazi found Smith slumped over in his truck after stepping inside his house briefly.

Fox News - Shirazi found Smith unresponsive in his car after returning from a grocery store following the pizza donation.

In a tragic turn of events, NFL star Smith, who was a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and recorded an impressive 33 1/2 sacks in his first two seasons, has been found deceased. Known for his remarkable talent on the field, Smith also had a reputation for his caring nature, as Amir Shirazi described him as "a very sweet, caring, loving giant" who was dedicated to helping the homeless. The heartbreaking discovery occurred when Shirazi found Smith slumped over in his truck after briefly stepping inside his house.