Former 49ers LB Aldon Smith was delivering pizzas to a charity for homeless before being discovered unresponsive

Following the death of former San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith on Saturday, details regarding the final day of his life are now being reported.

Smith, who died at the age 36, was helping to deliver pizzas to a charity for homeless people when he was found unresponsive. Bay Area businessman Amir Shirazi accompanied Smith to make the delivery of donated pizzas.

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Shirazi told the San Francisco Chronicle that he discovered Smith slumped over in his truck outside his home, slightly twitching. He believed that the former NFL linebacker had suffered a seizure or heart attack. Shirazi called 911 and helped administer CPR on the scene, but Smith was declared dead at a San Jose hospital less than an hour later.

Smith’s cause of death has yet to be reported. According to the Chronicle, he was described as looking tired and lethargic while making the delivery by the charity’s co-founder.

The 49ers’ 2011 first-round pick, Smith played four seasons in San Francisco and appeared to be on his way to becoming one of the NFL’s great pass rushers. He registered 19.5 sacks in his second year and 14 as a rookie.

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However, off-the-field troubles prevented Smith from fully realizing his potential. During his second season, Smith was charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon at his home during a party in which he was stabbed and firearms were discharged.

In 2013, he was arrested on a DUI charge and took a leave of absence to enter rehab. The following year, Smith was suspended for nine games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policy. He was also arrested for making a bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport. In 2015, the 49ers released Smith after his third DUI during a hit-and-run incident. The NFL later suspended him for one year and changed the penalty to an indefinite ban.

Smith had recently moved back to the Bay Area but was financially struggling while waiting to qualify for his NFL pension, according to Shirazi. He had reportedly visited the 49ers’ headquarters to work with rookies during organized team activities.

“He was a very sweet, caring, loving giant,” Shirazi told the Chronicle. “That if you really knew him, you’d know who he truly is.”