It was announced on Saturday, June 13th, that former NFL linebacker Aldon Smith has passed away. He was 36 years old.
Smith was drafted by the 49ers in 2011 with the seventh overall pick. He was a projected first-rounder, compared to DeMarcus Ware by scouts in the pre-draft process.
In his rookie season, Smith recorded 37 combined tackles, 31 solo, 13 tackles for loss (TFLs), and 14 sacks. He broke the 49ers record for most sacks by a rookie in a single season, surpassing Charles Haley’s 13.
Smith’s rookie campaign was more than enough to earn him a position as a starter in 2012. He passed out all of his stats, recording 66 combined tackles, 50 solo, 18 TFLs, and 19.5 sacks. He was voted the 49ers MVP that year and voted First-Team All-Pro.
Smith looked like a true star in his first two NFL seasons. In 2013, he recorded 18 tackles and 4.5 sacks through the first three weeks. He was then involved in a single-vehicle accident in California and suspended.
Smith struggled off the field. After being suspended in 2013, he was again suspended in 2014 and subsequently released in 2015. The Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas) signed him, and he started seven games for them.
Following his stint with the Raiders, Smith was again suspended, this time for a full year. He didn’t play again until 2020, when he signed with the Dallas Cowboys. After one season, he was arrested and did not play in the NFL again.
Smith finished his career with 228 combined tackles, 172 solo, 56 TFLs, and 52.5 sacks.
After his retirement in 2023, Smith wanted to use his experiences as a cautionary tale. He started a project named “Intelligent Moving”, or “I.M”. for short, to help young athletes adjust to life in a professional sports environment.
In 2024, Smith served as a mentor to rookie classes for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders. He spoke about his struggles and how he can help young players avoid those same pitfalls.
“Maybe I just wasn’t ready for that. I hope, with my approach, my resume, and my ability to connect, I have a different effect. That truly is information; education is everything. The more you know, the more you know, and what you don’t, you don’t.”
Smith also wanted to be a voice for players on their way out of the league. Many athletes struggle with the transition to life after football. He found the experience of working with other people to be therapeutic in a way.
“It’s what I’m here for; it’s what I care about. But it’s also good to keep that constant rhythm and practice. That’s what’s really important… If I can be somebody who’s doing the educating, or I’m being educated, I’m with it.”
Aldon Smith was a player with a ridiculously bright future. His struggles with mental health and the life of a high-profile athlete negatively impacted his career. He was able to take those struggles and turn them into a positive post-retirement.
Many athletes, celebrities, and anyone in a world with bright lights struggle with their own problems. Some of which we can’t even see. Smith tried to turn those into something inspirational, something for athletes to learn from.
Smith was an extremely talented player, but also a man who wanted to better his life and the lives of those around him.
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