Aldon Smith died at 36, the San Francisco 49ers said, adding the team did not disclose the cause of death and that it was devastated by his passing.
The 49ers said Smith displayed undeniable talent and dominance from the moment he joined the organization, and the team noted his infectious smile that "lit up every room," as reported by the franchise.
Smith spent six seasons in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys, the teams said, and he helped the 49ers to three consecutive NFC championship games.
As reported by the 49ers, Smith was the team's seventh overall draft pick and produced one of the league's best rookie campaigns, recording 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits and finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
The franchise also reported Smith followed his rookie year with a career peak in his second season, producing 19.5 sacks, a 49ers franchise record, and 29 quarterback hits while earning All Pro and Pro Bowl honors as the team reached the Super Bowl.
Career Decline, Legal Troubles And Final Interviews
Off field issues interrupted Smith's career, including multiple arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence and an arrest on felony charges for possessing illegal assault weapons, the team reported.
Smith was released by the 49ers after an arrest involving DUI, hit and run and vandalism, and he faced multiple NFL suspensions for violating the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
After playing a final season with the Dallas Cowboys, Smith formally announced his retirement, the 49ers said, bringing an end to a turbulent professional career.
In his final published interviews with celebrity barber Tavion "Tee" Maultsby, Smith offered an introspective view of his life and plans, saying he did not want to follow the common post career path of coaching or analysis.
Smith told Maultsby that he had little interest in coaching or being an analyst, and he confessed "I never thought I was good enough" despite his on field success.
He also reflected on seeking external validation, saying "My head was always so in the place of the external needed to be happy with me" and that he was "never in a position of consistently being praised for what I was doing."
On how he was coached, Smith laughed and said "I've always been coached hard, bro," adding that coaches often assumed he already received enough attention and therefore pushed him harder, as he told Maultsby.
