Image credit: Getty Images. By Elizabeth Botcherby. Un journaliste sportif de la BBC. 26 hours ago. Former NFL defensive end Aldon Smith has died at the age of 36. The San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him seventh overall in 2011, confirmed the news, though no cause of death has been disclosed. Smith spent four seasons with the 49ers, helping the team reach three NFC Championship Games, followed by single seasons with the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. He appeared in 75 regular-season games before retiring in 2023.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the 49ers said in a statement. “Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were evident from the moment he joined our organization, highlighted by one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he entered.” In 2011, Smith was included in the NFL’s All-Rookie Team after recording 14 sacks – the second-highest total by a rookie in a single season since 1982. The following year he earned Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro honours. His career was later derailed by off-field problems, including multiple arrests for suspected DUI, illegal weapon possession and domestic violence. In 2014 he was suspended for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, and the 49ers released him in 2015 after another DUI arrest. He signed with the Raiders later that year but appeared in only nine games before receiving an indefinite suspension for substance abuse. After missing the 2016 and 2017 seasons, he was released by Oakland in 2018. Smith made a return with the Cowboys in 2020, starting all 16 games, and spent four months with the Seahawks in 2021 without seeing any game action. Related topics. Gridiron. Additional details on this story.