Former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, one of the most explosive pass rushers the NFL has seen in the last two decades, died Saturday at the age of 36.
The 49ers confirmed the news in a statement released late Saturday night, June 13.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the team said. “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.”
49ers Confirm Aldon Smith’s Sudden Death
The 49ers went further, saying that Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into.
“On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon,” the team said.
Aldon Jacarus Smith was born September 25, 1989. He played college football at Missouri, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors and being named the program’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2010.
The 49ers selected him seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-4 and around 255 pounds, he brought rare speed and power to the edge.
NFL Star Became One of Football’s Most Dominant Pass Rushers
His rookie season stunned the league after he racked up 14 sacks, the second-most by a rookie since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
He started just six games but made his presence felt immediately. In 2012, he took off. Smith posted 19.5 sacks, a single-season franchise record for the 49ers that still stands.
He earned first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod. Through his first two seasons, he totaled 33.5 sacks, the most by any player in that span at the time.
In 50 regular-season games with the 49ers (30 starts), Smith recorded 152 tackles, 44 sacks, five passes defensed, five forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
He added 5.5 sacks in eight postseason appearances. Yet Smith’s career never reached the heights many expected. Off-field troubles started early and followed him for years.
He faced multiple DUI arrests, including one in 2012 in Miami Beach and another in 2013 after crashing his truck into a tree in San Jose.
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In 2012, he was stabbed while breaking up a fight at a party at his home; two others were shot in the incident, and it led to weapons-related charges that were later reduced.
The 49ers released him in August 2015 after yet another arrest involving DUI, hit-and-run and vandalism. He later played briefly for the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.
Across his NFL career, Smith finished with 52.5 sacks in 75 games. He showed flashes of his old self during a 2020 stint with Dallas after a long suspension, but he never stuck long-term.
In recent years, Smith worked on turning his life around and would speak openly about his struggles with alcohol and personal issues.
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He found work as a recovery coach and mentor, talking to young players about avoiding the pitfalls he encountered.
Friends and former teammates described him as someone who had grown and wanted to help others. He had reportedly been sober since late 2021.
Former Missouri teammates, 49ers fans and NFL players posted tributes, remembering both his on-field dominance and the warmth he showed off it.
So far, no details about the circumstances of Smith’s death have been released. The 49ers said only that it was sudden and tragic. He is survived by family members who have not yet spoken publicly.
The 49ers said the organization will honor Smith’s memory in the coming days and weeks.
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