Aldon Smith: Former 49ers and Cowboys defensive lineman dies aged 36
Former San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Aldon Smith has died at the age of 36 in the Bay Area, his former team has confirmed.
The Niners originally selected the pass rusher with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
No cause of death was provided for the former Oakland Raider, who passed away on Saturday.
‘Undeniable talent and sheer dominance’
The 49ers released a statement expressing their devastation at the sudden and tragic passing.
“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.”
A record-breaking start derailed by off-field issues
The defensive star burst onto the scene with 14 sacks in his debut campaign to finish second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
He followed that up with a phenomenal 2012 season, posting 19.5 sacks to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honours.
That remarkable tally remains a single-season franchise record for San Francisco to this day.
However, the highly touted prospect saw his rapid ascent to NFL stardom severely impacted by a series of off-field issues.
Suspensions and final comeback attempts
He was arrested 10 times over a nine-year span, facing charges that included driving under the influence and possessing illegal assault weapons.
The NFL suspended the prolific sack artist for nine games in 2014 before the 49ers ultimately released him the following year.
Despite subsequent stints with the Raiders and Cowboys, further suspensions kept him out of professional football for four years between 2016 and 2019.
He briefly attempted a final comeback with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 before officially announcing his retirement on a podcast in 2023.