San Francisco outside linebacker Aldon Smith is preparing to play in his first Super Bowl, after getting some help from a former 49ers outside linebacker who is the only player ever to win five Super Bowl rings.
Charles Haley, the Hall of Fame finalist who won two Super Bowls with the 49ers and three with the Cowboys, talked to Smith before the 49ers played the Falcons. Smith told CSNBayArea.com that Haley cornered him and instantly started coaching him.
“He gave me tips in our first five seconds of talking,” Smith said. “It was legit. He said, ‘You need to turn your foot like this and start rushing like that.’ And I was like, ‘All right.’”
Smith said Haley’s tips helped him pressure Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
“I did the tips,” Smith said. “They worked and helped out a little bit. I was in there.”
Although Smith did get pressure on Ryan a few times and recovered a fumble in the NFC Championship Game, he hasn’t had a sack in the last five games. Perhaps the help of a five-time champion will set Smith up for a big game in the Super Bowl.