DE Aldon Smith Dies At 36

Former NFL defensive end Aldon Smith has died, as noted in a press release from the 49ers. He was 36.

“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” a team statement reads. “Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into.

“Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”

Smith was the seventh overall pick in the 2011 draft. He made an immediate impact in San Francisco, nothing 14 sacks that season. Smith finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. A strong follow-up campaign ensued, with the Missouri product totaling 19.5 sacks en route to a Pro Bowl nod and first-team All-Pro honors.

Legal issues increasingly became a theme during Smith’s NFL tenure. He spent time on the NFI list in 2013 following the decision to voluntarily enter a rehabilitation in the wake of a DUI arrest. Smith later saw charges stemming from an incident at the Los Angeles International Airport in 2014 dropped, but he served a nine-game suspension that season.

During the following summer, Smith was involved in an alleged hit and run incident which resulted in charges including DUI and vandalism. The 49ers released him on the following day. Smith managed to quickly sign with the Raiders upon becoming a free agent, although he was issued another suspension (this time spanning one year) late in the 2015 campaign.

Smith unsuccessfully applied for reinstatement and wound up remaining suspended from 2016-19. A domestic violence allegation resulted in his Raiders release in 2018. Smith’s return to NFL action took place in 2020 as a member of the Cowboys. After serving as a full-time starter for one year in Dallas, a free agent deal with the Seahawks was worked out. Shortly after the Seattle signing, however, Smith was booked on a battery charge. That resulted in his Seahawks release. In December 2021, Smith was arrested and booked on a felony charge of DUI causing injury. A 12-month jail sentence came about as a result of that latest off-field incident.

Smith was not connected to any attempts at an NFL return following the end of that sentence. His legacy on the field includes the all-time record for sacks during a player’s first two seasons, but also the missed time following that encouraging start due to a number of legal issues which resulted in a brief playing career.