Earl Smith
Chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors
In his own words…
Earl Smith turned from a former criminal to the chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors, through an unparalleled story. What started on the streets, led him behind-the-bars of one of America’s most feared prisons: San Quentin. Now, Reverend Earl Smith uses the same lessons he learned from years of helping inmates discover God’s plan for them to help athletes do the same.
In 1983, twenty-seven-year-old Earl Smith arrived at San Quentin just like everyone thought he would. Labeled as a gang member and criminal from a young age, Smith was expected to do some time, but after a brush with death during a botched drug deal, Smith’s soul was saved and his life path was altered forever.
From that moment on, Smith knew God had an unusual mission for him, and he became the minister to the lost souls sitting on death row. For twenty-three years, Smith played chess with Charles Manson, negotiated truces between rival gangs, and bore witness to the final thoughts of many death row inmates. But most importantly, Smith helped the prisoners of San Quentin find redemption, hope, and to understand that it is still possible to find God’s grace and mercy from behind bars.
