Aldon Smith dies at 36: How 10 arrests in 9 years derailed NFL star's career

Aldon Smith, the former NFL linebacker and National Football League standout, has died at the age of 36. His former team, the San Francisco 49ers, confirmed the news on Saturday, June 13 describing it as “sudden and tragic."

Smith was drafted seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as one of the most productive defensive players of his generation. However, his career trajectory was repeatedly overshadowed by legal troubles and disciplinary setbacks.

Aldon Smith cause of death: How did he die

Aldon Smith’s cause of death has not been announced. His former team, the San Francisco 49ers, confirmed his passing but did not release any details about the circumstances. In a statement, the team paid tribute to his legacy and presence both on and off the field, saying, “We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. 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.”

They also added, “Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into.”

What happened to Aldon Smith?

Despite emerging as one of the NFL's brightest young defensive stars, Aldon Smith's career was repeatedly derailed by a series of off-field incidents. According to ESPN, he was arrested 10 times over a nine-year period, with several of those cases involving allegations of driving under the influence.

It began in 2012 with an arrest on suspicion of DUI in Miami. In 2013, he was arrested again on the same charge after crashing his vehicle into a tree in San Jose. Later that year, he also faced three felony charges related to the possession of illegal assault weapons. In the same year, he voluntarily entered rehab and missed five games, per Fox news.

The NFL suspended Smith for nine games in 2014 for violating the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policies. After a third DUI-related arrest in August 2015 which also involved hit-and-run and vandalism allegations, the San Francisco 49ers released him, ESPN further notes.

Smith briefly revived his career after signing with the Oakland Raiders in September 2015, but another violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy led to a one-year suspension. A series of league bans kept him out of football from 2016 to 2019 before he was conditionally reinstated in 2020 and played all 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys that season.

In 2021, Smith sought another chance in the NFL by signing with the Seattle Seahawks. But before he could make an impact, he was arrested on a second-degree battery charge in Louisiana. The team waived him shortly afterward, bringing his professional football career to a close.

Aldon Smith stats

During his early years with the 49ers, Smith delivered elite performances, recording 44.0 sacks in 50 games and setting franchise records for early-career production. His 19.5 sacks in his second season remain the highest single-season total in franchise history.

Despite interruptions caused by legal troubles, Smith’s statistical output remained exceptional during his peak years. He registered 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons alone, one of the highest marks in league history for a player at that stage of their career.

His overall career numbers included 152 tackles, 44 sacks, multiple forced fumbles, and key postseason contributions, underscoring the scale of his talent when on the field.