Santa Clara, Calif. – Alex Smith, the San Francisco 49ers’ high-profile rookie quarterback, was singled out on Aug. 16 to provide his best rendition of Utah’s fight song. Coach Mike Nolan wanted to lighten the mood as the team waited for the former 49ers quarterback and Hall of Famer Steve Young to address the players.
“So some rookie hazing commenced,” said Smith, the NFL’s No. 1 draft choice. “I was pretty embarrassed, red in the face.
“I started a few words, and there’s Thomas standing up in the back, shouting,” Smith recalled Tuesday. “He’s pretty musically talented. He jumped up and helped me. That felt pretty good.”
It was just like Thomas Herrion, Smith’s teammate for two seasons at Utah, to do that. An offensive lineman is supposed to defend and protect his quarterback.
“He stood up to support Alex,” Nolan said. “There was a bond there.”
Four nights later, in the visiting locker room at Denver’s Invesco Field, Herrion, 23, collapsed shortly after the Niners’ 26-21 loss to the Broncos. He was rushed to a hospital and was pronounced dead less than an hour later. The cause has not been determined.
“It was so unusual having to witness something like that, then deal with it,” Smith said. “He was one of the first guys I met, coming to Utah. Knowing him, his background, what he was trying to do, the kind of person he was, it really makes you reflect on a lot of things.”
Smith was unable to express his feelings to the news media until Tuesday.
“The last image of Thomas was that scene, and it was hard,” Smith said. “There aren’t many bad memories with Thomas.”
Smith’s comments came on the same day Nolan announced that Smith would not be the starter this season, but would back up the veteran Tim Rattay. Nolan said the move was made because Rattay, in his sixth season, simply has more experience to handle the rigors of the regular season.
Smith, who signed a six-year, $49.5 million deal on July 26, has been overwhelmed in his two preseason starts. He completed only 3-of-9 passes in the preseason-opening 21-13 victory over Oakland.
Rattay sparked the victory with a second-half comeback. Smith was only 2-for-7 for 18 yards against Denver. He has yet to lead the team on a scoring drive and has been sacked four times.
Smith said that he understood the switch but that he would continue to push for the starting role. Given the events of the week, though, he said he needed to put matters in perspective.
“You think about what’s important in life,” he said. “I have my health. I’m grateful for my family. I’m grateful for where I am in life. It makes going 2-for-7 seem pretty insignificant. It’s a time to reflect.”
When the 49ers take the field, they will carry Herrion’s memory with them. The players will wear a 72 decal, Herrion’s camp number, on the back of their helmets, beginning with Friday night’s game against Tennessee. Herrion’s locker at the 49ers’ training facility will be undisturbed this season.
Guard Juston Smiley said: “I remember when Thomas came here last December. He told me, ‘I think God sent me here for a reason, to be with you guys.’ That was the first thing I ever heard Thomas say. That’s what keeps flashing through my mind.”
A private memorial service was scheduled for Tuesday night at a church in nearby Mountain View. Some of Herrion’s teammates and family members were expected to speak. A rap tribute written by a teammate, Fred Amey, was to be played.
The funeral will be Saturday in Fort Worth. Nolan will attend along with the 49ers’ owners, John York and Denise DeBartolo York.
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue also is planning to be there.