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Former NFL player and college football standout Aldon Smith has died at the age of 36, his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, announced.
“We are saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the team said in a statement.
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Aldon Smith #99 of the San Francisco 49ers runs on the field before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on December 20, 2014. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“Aldon’s undeniable talent and complete dominance on the field was on display from the moment he joined our organization, recording one of the best seasons the National Football League has ever seen. In addition to his brilliance as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends our condolences to the Smith family and to all those who love and support the family of all who knew him.”
Smith’s NFL career was defined by a historic, unprecedented reign marred by off-field issues and substance abuse issues.
Drafted seventh overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 out of Missouri, Smith had the most explosive start for a defensive player in NFL history. As a stat pass rusher in his first year, he racked up 14.0 sacks.
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Former NFL player Aldon Smith smiles as he discusses his troubled past and hopes to help players and coaches inside NFL structures. (Fox News Digital)
In his second season in 2012, Smith set a 49ers franchise record with 19.5 sacks, earned First-Team All-Pro honors, and helped lead the team to Super Bowl XLVII. In particular, he reached 30 career sacks in just 27 games, becoming the fastest player in NFL history to reach that milestone, breaking the record held by Hall of Famer Reggie White.
But then in 2013, he voluntarily entered rehab and missed five games. In 2014, he was suspended nine games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies.
In 2015, the 49ers released Smith in August following his third DUI arrest. He signed with the Oakland Raiders a month later, playing nine games before the NFL imposed a one-year suspension in November. Smith remained permanently suspended from the NFL for four full seasons as he dealt with legal and personal issues.
Smith returned in 2020 when he successfully applied for reinstatement, and played a full season for the Dallas Cowboys. He started all 16 games, recording 5.0 sacks and 48 tackles.
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is sacked in the pocket by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Aldon Smith during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 11, 2020. (Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire)
The following year, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in April but was released before the start of the season following another arrest.
No cause of death was immediately released.
