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Aldon Smith was once one of the NFL's most promising defensive prospects. But after a brilliant start to his career, a series of off-the-field issues put him on a different trajectory. After multiple suspensions sidelined him for four straight seasons, Smith made a brief but memorable comeback bid as a member of the Dallas Cowboys but was unable to make it last.
Smith passed away in California on Saturday at the age of 36. The news was confirmed by the San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted Smith in the first round in 2011. A cause of death has not yet been made public.
The 6-foot-4-inch Missouri native electrified the league after being selected seventh overall, ahead of luminaries including Tyron Smith (Dallas), J.J. Watt (Houston), Mike Pouncey (Miami), and Cam Jordan (New Orleans). As a rookie, Smith recorded 14 sacks- breaking a 49ers rookie record- and finished second in the AP's Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
His second season was even better, earning him a Pro Bowl nod, first-team All-Pro honors, and a trip to the Super Bowl. Along the way, he became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 30 sacks, hitting that mark in just 27 games. His 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons also set a league record.
But Smith soon found himself in frequent legal trouble: car accidents, DUI arrests, weapons charges, and violations of the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies. He missed part of the 2014 season while under suspension; the 49ers released him prior to the 2015 season following another arrest.
The Raiders signed Smith in September of that year; by November he had been suspended for a second time, for another violation of the substance abuse policy.
Smith was out of the league for four seasons, from 2016 to 2019. But the 2020 campaign saw the NFL take a dramatically new approach to its substance abuse policies, opening the door for Smith to finally apply for reinstatement. Once he was greenlit to return, the Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal worth $2 million.
Smith started 16 games for Dallas in 2020 under head coach Mike McCarthy. He totaled 48 tackles, five sacks, 14 QB hits, and two fumble recoveries. But most of his production came early in the season; his numbers dwindled late in the year and he lost an increasing number of snaps to Randy Gregory.
The Cowboys moved on; Smith signed with Seattle in 2021 but was waived before Week 1 following another arrest.
A talented athlete whose football potential was never able to fully overcome the struggles with his various demons, Smith's final game action came wearing the Cowboys star. In the years that followed, he would go on to mentor young athletes, offering up his own story- that included him once sleeping underneath his own car- as a cautionary tale.
"I'm grateful for my journey so far because of where I am now," Smith told Keyshawn Johnson on a 2024 podcast.
"We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith," the 49ers said in a team 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."
Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Former Cowboys DL Aldon Smith dies at 36
Continue reading...
Smith passed away in California on Saturday at the age of 36. The news was confirmed by the San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted Smith in the first round in 2011. A cause of death has not yet been made public.
The 6-foot-4-inch Missouri native electrified the league after being selected seventh overall, ahead of luminaries including Tyron Smith (Dallas), J.J. Watt (Houston), Mike Pouncey (Miami), and Cam Jordan (New Orleans). As a rookie, Smith recorded 14 sacks- breaking a 49ers rookie record- and finished second in the AP's Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
His second season was even better, earning him a Pro Bowl nod, first-team All-Pro honors, and a trip to the Super Bowl. Along the way, he became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 30 sacks, hitting that mark in just 27 games. His 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons also set a league record.
But Smith soon found himself in frequent legal trouble: car accidents, DUI arrests, weapons charges, and violations of the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies. He missed part of the 2014 season while under suspension; the 49ers released him prior to the 2015 season following another arrest.
The Raiders signed Smith in September of that year; by November he had been suspended for a second time, for another violation of the substance abuse policy.
Smith was out of the league for four seasons, from 2016 to 2019. But the 2020 campaign saw the NFL take a dramatically new approach to its substance abuse policies, opening the door for Smith to finally apply for reinstatement. Once he was greenlit to return, the Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal worth $2 million.
Smith started 16 games for Dallas in 2020 under head coach Mike McCarthy. He totaled 48 tackles, five sacks, 14 QB hits, and two fumble recoveries. But most of his production came early in the season; his numbers dwindled late in the year and he lost an increasing number of snaps to Randy Gregory.
The Cowboys moved on; Smith signed with Seattle in 2021 but was waived before Week 1 following another arrest.
A talented athlete whose football potential was never able to fully overcome the struggles with his various demons, Smith's final game action came wearing the Cowboys star. In the years that followed, he would go on to mentor young athletes, offering up his own story- that included him once sleeping underneath his own car- as a cautionary tale.
"I'm grateful for my journey so far because of where I am now," Smith told Keyshawn Johnson on a 2024 podcast.
"We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith," the 49ers said in a team 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."
Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Former Cowboys DL Aldon Smith dies at 36
Continue reading...
