Former NFL standout Aldon Smith has died suddenly at the age of 36, the San Francisco 49ers announced Saturday.
Smith, a former defensive lineman whose career was repeatedly overshadowed by off-field troubles, died over the weekend. A cause of death has not been released.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the 49ers, who selected him in the 2011 NFL Draft, said in a statement.
“Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were evident from the moment he joined our organization, having delivered one of the finest rookie seasons the NFL has seen,” the team said.
“Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he entered. Our entire organization extends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”
Smith was once regarded as one of the league’s brightest young defensive stars. But a career that included time with the 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys was ultimately derailed by a series of alcohol-related arrests and ended in 2020.
Former NFL star Aldon Smith has died at 36, the San Francisco 49ers announced
The former All-Pro linebacker’s career in the NFL was marred by a series of arrests
Smith turned himself in to police in 2018 after allegedly attacking his then-fiancee
Smith was drafted by San Francisco with the seventh-overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, going on to start in Super Bowl XLVII with the team.
He finished second for the defensive rookie of the year award in 2011, and he was a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2012.
However, his career on the field was blemished by a series of scandals, including 10 arrests in nine years.
They included no fewer than four arrests since being drafted by the 49ers in 2011, and voluntarily went to a treatment facility in 2013.
Among that string of legal woes was an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Miami in 2012, another on the same charge in San Jose in 2013 in which he crashed his car into a tree and an arrest for three felony charges of possessing illegal assault weapons in October 2013.
He was slapped with a nine-game suspension in 2014 while still with the 49ers for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He was later released by the team following yet another arrest that included hit-and-run, DUI and vandalism charges.
At the time of Smith’s release in 2014, defensive line coach Jim Tomsula stressed that he and the 49ers organization would continue to support Smith on his road to recovery, and added a message to everyone else struggling with alcohol and drugs.
Returning from his initial suspension, Smith signed with the Raiders in September 2015. However, his redemption arc was cut short when he was suspended by the NFL again that November, this time for a year for again violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
His NFL career was blemished by a series of scandals, including 10 arrests in nine years
Smith had stints with the 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys. Pictured in 2015
In his five years of suspension, Smith had yet more run-ins with the law. He was transferred to an inpatient rehab center following a domestic violence arrest in 2018.
He was accused of biting his fiancée Shawna McKnight’s wrist and fleeing the scene before officers arrived.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell surprised many by lifting Smith’s suspension in May 2020 with the player attempting one more comeback.
He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 but just two days later, he was arrested again on a second-degree battery charge in Louisiana.The Seahawks went on to waive him.
It marked the end of his NFL career with Smith failing to play again before announcing on the ‘I Am Athlete’ podcast in 2023 that he was retiring from the game, saying ‘I’m done with ball.’
Smith attended the University of Missouri and was drafted seventh overall by San Francisco in 2011, recording 14 sacks as a rookie. He was an All-Pro in 2012, finishing with 19 1/2 sacks and helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl.
Over his first four seasons in San Francisco, Smith had 44 sacks in 50 games and appeared to be poised for a major free agent deal before his legal problems forced him out of the league.
More to follow.
