The San Francisco 49ers shared the heartbreaking news on Saturday that Aldon Smith, their former linebacker, has passed away at the age of 36. The announcement has sent ripples of sorrow through the football community.
The 49ers expressed their grief in a heartfelt statement, saying, “We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. His undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were evident from the moment he joined our team. Aldon’s rookie season was one of the most impressive the National Football League has witnessed. Beyond his athletic prowess, Aldon will always be remembered for his infectious smile that brightened every room he entered. Our hearts go out to the Smith family and everyone who had the privilege to know and love Aldon.”
The cause of Smith’s untimely death has not been disclosed.
Smith, who was drafted seventh overall out of Missouri by the 49ers in 2011, made an immediate and significant impact on the team. His presence was pivotal in ending San Francisco’s playoff drought, propelling them to three consecutive NFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance in his initial seasons with the team.
During his rookie year, Smith recorded 14 sacks, finishing second to Von Miller for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. The following year, he set a franchise record with 19.5 sacks and was honored as a first-team All-Pro, cementing his legacy as a formidable force on the field.
His 33 1/2 sacks in his first two seasons are the most in NFL history. He kept that pace up with 4 1/2 sacks in the first three games in 2013 before the off-field issues started with an arrest for DUI and a stint in rehab for substance abuse that sidelined him for five games.
He was also arrested on a weapons charge that season but returned to the field.
Smith had 3 1/2 sacks in the playoffs that season but was suspended for the first nine games in 2014 and never made it back to his early level of performance because of suspensions and injuries.
San Francisco then released him in August 2015 after another drunken driving charge — his fifth arrest in three years. He signed with Oakland just before the start of the 2015 season and had 3 1/2 sacks in nine games before being suspended again.
“Aldon proudly wore the Silver and Black, was respected by his teammates and will be missed dearly,” the Raiders said in a statement.
Smith applied for reinstatement to the NFL in 2016, but was not allowed back initially. The Raiders released him in 2018 following a domestic violence arrest. A plea agreement was reached in that case.
He eventually was reinstated in 2020 and played 16 games for Dallas that season and had five sacks.
He signed with Seattle the next season but was arrested again for battery and was released in training camp. He served a six-month jail sentence for DUI in 2023 and never played again in the NFL.
Smith finished his career with 52 1/2 sacks in 75 games.
In college, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and the recipient of Missouri’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2010.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.