In his last hours, Aldon Smith wasn’t thinking about his NFL career or the accolades that once defined him. The former defensive end was doing something quieter, more purposeful—handing out pizzas to unhoused people in San Jose alongside business owner Amir Shirazi.
On Saturday, June 14, Pastor Scott Wagers of The Mercy Mobile of Silicon Valley got a surprise. Shirazi showed up with Smith and boxes of pizza, ready to distribute supplies to homeless individuals in the area. It was an unscripted moment of generosity, the kind that might’ve gone unnoticed if not for what came next. Wagers remembers Smith as“a very gentle, friendly guy”—nothing alarming, just maybe a little tired.
Hours after they finished delivering the food, Shirazi called Wagers with devastating news. Smith had been found unresponsive in a truck at Shirazi’s house. What Shirazi initially thought was sleep turned out to be far worse. Smith, 36, was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, where he was pronounced dead. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the circumstances.
It’s a stark and sorrowful ending to a life that had seen its share of turbulence. Smith’s NFL journey was marked by talent, controversy, and a documented struggle to find stability off the field. Yet in these final moments captured by those around him, there’s a different picture—someone choosing to show up for people society often forgets. That contradiction, that quieter version of who he’d become, deserves to be remembered too.
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
