A.J. Smith, a longtime NFL executive who was the winningest general manager in Chargers history, has died. He was 75.
San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith stares out at the Chargers practice fields from his office balcony, July 9, 2003, in San Diego. Smith, a longtime NFL executive who was the winningest general manager in Chargers history, has died, according to his son on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
A.J. Smith spent 35 years in the NFL, beginning as a part-time scout with the New York Giants in 1977.He had two stints with the Chargers, first as pro personnel director in 1985-86. After 14 seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where he rose up the ranks to director of player personnel, Smith returned to San Diego as assistant GM in 2001. He was promoted to general manager in 2003 following the death of John Butler.
“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.
“It’s quite obvious he didn’t want to be here, as far as that family,” Smith said after the trade was made. “The San Diego Chargers have a strategy. We know exactly what we’re doing. We executed that pick with Eli Manning and the rest of it unfolded, and I don’t want to reveal how we think in the building. We’re very proud of what happened, too, by the way.”
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