(Photo via AlexSmithFoundation.org)
While Alex Smith is considered one of the league's top quarterbacks today, the 33-year-old has focused on helping others during his time away from the field.
Shortly after the San Francisco 49ers selected Smith with the No. 1-overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, he returned to his native San Diego where he spoke to students at San Pasqual Academy, a residential school for foster teens. It was there where he decided that he wanted to assist those in the foster care system with the Alex Smith Foundation.
According to the Foundation's website, the purpose of the program is to provide foster teens with the tools and resources needed to transition to successful adulthood by developing and promoting programs including education, housing and advocacy.
Additionally, the Alex Smith Foundation has had six different subprograms: Guardian Scholars, the Karen Martin Scholarship, Slices with Smith, Smiles for Smith, 1 and 1 Special and Cornerstones of Care.
Smith's philanthropic efforts extended to his time in Kansas City, as he was named the Chiefs' nominee for the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the field.
According to a press release provided by the Chiefs, since 2005 Smith has allowed for more than 90 percent of the $1.16 million raised by the Alex Smith Foundation to directly impact foster youth. His efforts have afforded former foster youth the opportunity to attend San Diego State University, where they have a 78 percent graduation rate. The national graduation rate for foster youth is just three percent.
To learn more about the Alex Smith Foundation, click here.
