Aldon Smith, a former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, has died. He was 36.
The 49ers released an official statement via X on Saturday, June 13, to verify the news.
“We’re devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the statement read. “Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the sector were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded top-of-the-line rookie seasons the National Football League has seen.”
The organization continued, “Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon might 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.”
An official reason behind death has not yet been released.
Shocked fans responded to the news by sharing their devastation over the game star’s premature death.
“Rattling rip i used to be just watching his highlights weeks back, rattling man,” wrote one X user, while one other added, “36 is simply too rattling young!! Rest easy Aldon.”
One other wrote, “So tragic, sad. He was an incredible player.”
Smith was chosen by the 49ers with the No. 7 overall pick within the 2011 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as one in all football’s most feared pass rushers. During his first two seasons within the league, he recorded 33.5 sacks across 32 regular-season games.
Aldon Smith. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
His breakout rookie campaign earned him second place in Defensive Rookie of the Yr voting in 2011. The next season, Smith was named a first-team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl selection after helping lead San Francisco to one in all the NFL’s top defenses.
Smith also began in Super Bowl XLVII, where the 49ers faced the Baltimore Ravens in February 2013.
Despite his success on the sector, Smith’s NFL profession was marred by a series of off-field issues. In 2014, he served a nine-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
The 49ers released Smith in August 2015 following a DUI arrest. He later signed with the Oakland Raiders and appeared in nine games throughout the 2015 season, making seven starts.
After Week 10 of that campaign, Smith was suspended indefinitely by the NFL. The suspension sidelined him for the whole thing of the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Smith’s profession was further derailed by more off-field issues, including a 2018 arrest on a domestic violence charge that led to his release from the Raiders.
He returned to the NFL with the Cowboys in 2020, starting all 16 games and recording 5.0 sacks. Smith later signed with the Seahawks throughout the 2021 offseason but was released before the beginning of the regular season.