June 14, 2026 – 4:39 a.mReading time: 1 min.
The National Football League announces sad news about a former player. Over the course of his career, he also repeatedly had problems off the field.
Former NFL professional Aldon Smith has died at the age of just 36. This was announced by his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, without providing a cause of death. “We are devastated by the sudden and tragic death of Aldon Smith,” the statement said. The 49ers recalled that the defender had an outstanding first season as a professional and “his smile lit up every room he walked into.”
Smith was selected seventh overall in the 2011 NFL draft by the 49ers and made it to the Super Bowl once with the team. His 33.5 sacks – successful attacks on the opposing quarterback – in the first two seasons of his professional football career are still the NFL record.
His performances deteriorated as off-field problems became known. He was arrested for drunk driving in 2013. In addition to the 49ers, Smith also played for the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys. In 2023 he went to prison for six months for drunk driving and has not played in the NFL since.