Kansas City Chiefs fans had to see the writing on the wall with Alex Smith. The team traded up for Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft to be Smith’s heir apparent. Nothing the organization said publicly during this past season indicated that Smith would be back with the team.
It still had to be somewhat of a shock that Smith was traded so soon after the Chiefs’ season ended. The Pro Bowler found himself jettisoned to the Washington Redskins Monday night.
As under appreciated as he might have been in Kansas City, fans are thanking Smith in a pretty darn special way following his trade. They’re doing so by donating to The Alex Smith Foundation, an organization that provides tools and resources to help foster children transition to adulthood.
https://twitter.com/BlakeClarensau/status/959093401588297730
I donated $55 to the #AlexSmithFoundation for his 5 years in KC. A true professional and class act. #69percent #nice @ArrowheadPride pic.twitter.com/Eolm3wMI23
— Charles German (@ChazG212) February 1, 2018
@kkwhb after hearing your segment with @mitchholthus I too decided to donate to the Alex Smith foundation. A few years ago I sent my nephew to his camp and bought a signed jersey from his foundation! Thank you @lizbsmith11 & family for your time in KC!
https://t.co/e6OdB74wmk pic.twitter.com/o44C8FQ8rw— KC Football Guy (@KC_Football_Guy) February 1, 2018
I can’t think of a better way to Thank Alex Smith for his 5 years in Kansas City. I plan to donate $11 for the next 5 months to the Alex Smith Foundation. If you’re a Chiefs fan, I encourage you to do the same. Donate here https://t.co/jNFBJV5IHk. @ArrowheadPride pic.twitter.com/mk6i7WdV3g
— Derek Powell (@derek_powell23) February 1, 2018
It's a great idea as a final salute – donate $11 to the https://t.co/2MGx4p5wRd Very good cause, very good quarterback, very good man. (And thanks to @ArrowheadPride for the heads-up on the idea!) pic.twitter.com/b8JKQpm1i5
— Roger Heaton (@RogerTShrubber) February 1, 2018
Smith was nothing less than a true professional during his five seasons with the Chiefs. He’s also been a pillar in the communities of both the San Francisco Bay Area and Kansas City during his career. His charity is a prime example of this, as noted by SB Nation’s Niners Nation.
The Alex Smith Foundation is regularly rated one of the most efficient athlete charities. This is very cool. https://t.co/LKTj3VRV63
— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) February 1, 2018
This is a continuation of what is a promising trend around the NFL. After his Cincinnati Bengals helped the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs in Week 17, Bills fans donated a large chunk of change to Andy Dalton’s charity (more on that here).
It’s a way for fans to show their thanks to athletes while giving back to the community themselves. We’re pretty stoked about this latest development in the world of fandom.