Aldon Smith died at the age of 36, the San Francisco 49ers said, and the team did not disclose the cause of death.
The 49ers said they were "devastated by the sudden and tragic passing" and added that Smith's "infectious smile" lit up every room, the team statement said.
Smith was the No. 7 pick in the 2011 NFL draft and played six seasons in the league for the San Francisco 49ers, the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys.
He recorded 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits as a rookie and finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, as reported by news accounts.
In his second season Smith had 19.5 sacks, a 49ers franchise record, and earned All‑Pro and Pro Bowl honors as the team reached the Super Bowl, as reported by news accounts.
Smith totaled 33.5 sacks across his first two seasons and became the fastest player to reach 30 sacks, with sack totals through three seasons trailing only Reggie White and Derrick Thomas, as reported by news accounts.
He finished his 49ers tenure with 44.0 sacks, which stood as the 11th most in franchise history, and his career included three consecutive NFC championship game appearances with the team.
Off Field Issues Career Pause And Final Remarks
Off the field Smith faced multiple arrests, including arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence and a 2013 arrest on felony assault weapons charges, according to reports.
The 49ers released him in 2015 after an arrest tied to DUI, hit and run and vandalism, and the NFL suspended him multiple times for violations of personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
Smith did not play from 2016 through 2019 and closed his on-field career in 2020 with the Dallas Cowboys, recording 5.0 sacks and recovering two fumbles for 78 yards in 16 games, as reported by news accounts.
After his playing career he worked as a rookie mentor for teams including the Las Vegas Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he formally announced his retirement in 2023, according to the reports.
In his final published interviews Smith spoke with celebrity barber Tavion "Tee" Maultsby and described doubts about his own abilities, saying "I never thought I was good enough" and that external validation often drove him, as reported by the interview.
The Oakland Raiders also released a statement on Smith's passing, the articles noted, while teammates and organizations offered condolences through official channels.
