Former San Diego Chargers GM AJ Smith dies at age 75 'after battle with prostate cancer'

Longtime NFL executive and former San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has died at age 75 after a seven-year battle with prostate cancer. 

Smith's son, Kyle Smith - the Atlanta Falcons' assistant GM - announced his father's passing on Sunday. 

A.J., who spent 35 years in the NFL climbing up the ranks from part-time scout to GM of the Chargers, was San Diego's winningest GM in franchise history with 98 wins over 10 seasons. 

He famously traded two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning to the New York Giants after selecting him as the first overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft despite the quarterback insisting that he would not play for the Chargers due to their treatment of their own signal-caller, Ryan Leaf, who was dealing with personal struggles at the time.

Manning's trade to the Giants saw North Carolina State University prospect Philip Rivers (drafted fourth overall) go the other way along with a 2004 third-round pick (used to select kicker Nate Kaeding), a 2005 first-round pick and a 2005 fifth-round pick.

In 2005, the Chargers used their first round pick acquired from the Giants to select Shawne Merriman 12th overall. Merriman went on to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Manning went on to become the MVP of Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI. 

The L.A. Chargers released a heartwarming statement from owner, Dean Spanos, on Smith's passing. 

'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. The architect of one of the greatest chapters in franchise history' Spanos said.

'A.J. made everyone around him better with a singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization. Our hearts are with his wife Sue, son Kyle, daughter Andrea and the entire Smith family during this difficult time.' 

Smith was behind a Chargers team that won five AFC West division titles and went through eight straight seasons (2004-2012) without a losing record, including four seasons of 11+ wins. 

More to follow...