Former NFL star Aldon Smith, whose career was marred by controversies, has died suddenly at the age of 36, the San Francisco 49ers announced on Saturday.
The former defensive lineman, who was previously banned from the NFL amid a string of alcohol-related arrests, passed away at the weekend.
Smith was dead on arrival at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California, according to NFL host Chase Senior. No cause of death is yet known.
‘We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,’ the Niners, who drafted Smith in the 2011 NFL Draft, shared.
‘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.’
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
Once viewed as one of the most promising young stars in the league, Aldon’s star-crossed career, which featured stints with the 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys , ended in 2020.
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.
His NFL career was blemished by a series of scandals, including 10 arrests in nine years
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.
During his five years away, 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.
Smith was slapped with a nine-game ban in 2014 for violating the substance abuse policy
Over his first four seasons in San Francisco, Smith had 44 sacks in 50 games
In 2024, Smith told NBC Sports Bay Area that he was ‘good at playing football, but I wasn’t a good football player.’
‘Being a football player is, in my opinion, a responsibility and something that you need some discipline and direction and help and guidance,’ he said.
‘There’s a lot that goes into it. … There were things off the field that I needed to work on, just being a young man and wandering in my way about life.’
After the tragic news of his death broke, tributes to the pass rusher flooded in with many remembering Smith for his impressive performances on the field.
Sports reporter Jay Glazer led the tributes with an emotional statement on social media, witing: ‘Absolutely gutted. Beyond gutted to hear the news of the passing of my dude Aldon Smith. Can’t believe it. Mannn, just gutting.
‘I was so damn proud of the journey he and I took together to get him back into the league after being out of the NFL for 4 years. But also the journey we took in being real and vulnerable to try to be better in this crazy game of life.
‘I was proud of what we learned from each other and the brotherhood bond we formed. Proud that after 4 years out he showed that anything is possible.
‘I will never forget the day when he came over to my house to sign his contract with the Cowboys so we can be proud together. But even cooler, he wanted to sign it in front of my son Sammy so he would be proud too as he had a front row seat to it all. Soooo proud, through the ups and downs, still so proud! And I always will be.’
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo shared: ‘Incredibly tragic news on the passing of Aldon Smith.’
‘RIP Aldon Smith, who was one of my favorite pass-rushers to watch during his career. Prayers to him and his family,’ added Jordan Schultz.