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The announcement has garnered a significant reaction from the media, who watched Smith not only overcome a devastating leg injury that nearly cost him his life, but also return to football this past season, earning him NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Here are a few of the reactions from Bay Area reporters who helped cover the team for at least a portion of Smith's eight seasons with the Niners.
Personally, my favorite Smith memory is sitting in the stands at Candlestick Park with my wife, and watching the quarterback mount a game-winning drive ending with a pass to tight end Vernon Davis to beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 in the 2011 NFC Divisional Round playoffs.
Smith retires at 36 years old.
"[A]fter 16 years of giving this game everything I've got, I can't wait to see what else is possible," the quarterback said in his Instagram video. "But first, I'm going to take a little time to enjoy a few of those walks with me, and my kids have no idea what's coming for them in the backyard."
And here is a reaction from NFL defensive end J.J. Watt.
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