Longtime NFL executive A.J. Smith died on Sunday following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.
Smith was 75.
The former Chargers general manager had succumbed after battling cancer for seven years and passed surrounded by loved ones, the family said in a statement that had been released through the Falcons.
Smith’s son, Kyle Smith, is the assistant general manager in Atlanta.
Smith spent 35 years in the NFL, starting as a part-time scout and eventually rising through the ranks to become the general manager with the Chargers, a position he held from 2003-2012.
He is the winnest general manager in Chargers history with 98 wins – including the playoffs – over 10 seasons at the helm.
“Belying a tough, matter of fact and no nonsense persona — one synonymous with that of a true football guy — was A.J.’s softer side which included a tremendous love for his family, the NFL and the Chargers,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “The architect of one of the greatest chapters in franchise history, A.J. made everyone around him better with a singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization. Our hearts are with his wife Sue, son Kyle, daughter Andrea and the entire Smith family during this difficult time.”
Smith was responsible for bringing in two impactful Chargers figures into the organization, having signed Antonio Gates as an undrafted free agent in 2003 and overseeing the saga that eventually brought Philip Rivers to San Diego in 2004.
Gates became the all-time franchise leader in receptions (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdown receptions (116).
Smith made the decision during the 2004 NFL Draft to pick Eli Manning with the No. 1 overall pick despite objections from the Manning camp over the idea of being selected by the Chargers.
He eventually traded Manning’s rights to the Giants for Rivers, who Big Blue took with the fourth overall pick.
Rivers went on to set Chargers franchise records with 59,271 yards and 397 touchdown passes.
Smith also drafted Shawne Merriman, Vincent Jackson, Darren Sproles, Antonio Cromartie, and Eric Weddle during his tenure as general manager.
Smith also spent 14 years with the Bills and spent time in Washington in 2013 after he was fired by the Chargers before he retired from the NFL in 2015.