COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — A.J. Smith, a longtime NFL executive who was the winningest general manager in Chargers history, died Sunday. He was 75.His son, Atlan
FILE - 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. Despite the regular-season success, the Chargers didn't make the Super Bowl under Smith. The closest they got was the AFC championship game in the 2007 season before losing to the New England Patriots.
One hour after posing with a Chargers jersey with his family and then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Manning's rights were traded to the New York Giants for the rights to Philip Rivers, who was the fourth overall pick. San Diego also got a 2005 first-round pick, which it used to take linebacker Shawne Merriman.
Smith was also known for firing Marty Schottenheimer as coach after the 2006 season, after the Bolts were upset by New England in the playoffs after going 14-2 in the regular season. Smith recommended hiring Norv Turner as coach despite Turner having a 59-83-1 record in previous stops at Washington and Oakland.
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