Aldon Smith, the gifted defensive player whose NFL career was interrupted by numerous legal troubles, has passed away at age 36.
The San Francisco 49ers made the announcement Saturday evening regarding Smith’s death. No cause of death was provided by the organization.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the 49ers said in a statement. “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.”
The 49ers selected Smith as the 11th overall draft choice from Missouri in 2011, and he quickly became a key contributor for San Francisco, helping end the team’s playoff absence and advancing to the NFC championship game during his initial three seasons, including one Super Bowl appearance.
Smith recorded 14 quarterback sacks during his rookie campaign, placing second behind Von Miller for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He set a team record with 19 1/2 sacks in 2012, earning first-team All-Pro recognition.
His 33 1/2 sacks during his opening two seasons remain an NFL record. He maintained that productivity with 4 1/2 sacks through the first three contests in 2013 before legal difficulties began with a DUI arrest and substance abuse treatment that cost him five games.
That same season brought a weapons-related arrest, though he eventually returned to play.
“I’m getting there,” he said after his stint in 2013 on the non-football injury list. “Every day’s just a step closer to getting to where I want to be I’ve gotten a lot of support, from my family, friends, organization, teammates and everything. And it really says a lot that people care about me outside the field and they care about me as a person.”
Smith contributed 3 1/2 sacks during that season’s playoffs but faced a nine-game suspension to start 2014 and never regained his initial performance level due to suspensions and injuries.
San Francisco cut ties with him in August 2015 following another drunk driving incident — his fifth arrest within three years. Oakland signed him just before the 2015 season began, where he managed 3 1/2 sacks across nine games before another suspension.
“Aldon proudly wore the Silver and Black, was respected by his teammates and will be missed dearly,” the Raiders said in a statement.
Smith sought NFL reinstatement in 2016 but was initially denied. The Raiders released him in 2018 after a domestic violence arrest, which resulted in a plea agreement.
He was eventually reinstated in 2020 and appeared in 16 games for Dallas that season, recording five sacks.
He joined Seattle the following season but was arrested again for battery and released during training camp. He completed a six-month jail term for DUI in 2023 and never returned to the NFL.
Smith concluded his professional career with 52 1/2 sacks across 75 games.
During his college years, he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and received Missouri’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2010.
