Aldon Smith, a first-round pick who was a dominant pass rusher early in his career, has died. He was 36.
“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. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”
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The seventh overall selection in 2011, Smith had 33.5 sacks in his first 32 regular-season games. 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. He started Super Bowl XLVII with the 49ers.
He served a nine-game suspension in 2014 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Following a DUI arrest in August 2015, the 49ers released him.
That season, he appeared in nine games with seven starts for the Raiders. He was suspended indefinitely by the league after the Week 10 of the 2015 campaign. He missed all of the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
The Raiders released him in 2018, after an arrest for domestic violence. He joined the Cowboys in 2020, starting all 16 games and finishing with 5.0 sacks. The Seahawks signed him during the 2021 offseason; he was released in August.
We extend our condolences to Smith’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches.
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