[calia]

Alex Smith is a quality person. I think he still lives out here in the Bay Area (from his days at SF). Last summer, I was standing in line in this small market where I live, and I realized that he was standing in front of me waiting to check out. The woman at the register recognized him, and started gushing. He was incredibly gracious, smiled, thanked her, and signed an autograph for her. Then when a number of other employees queued up asked for autographs, he turned to me and said, "Why don't you check our first? I don't want to hold you up. Sorry about that."

A few of the folks that work there had clearly met him before, and he remembered a few names. He was genuine and just a total class act.

In terms of character, I think there's no better role model in the NFL.