Aldon Smith obit

Aldon Smith, ex-49ers star and single-season sacks record-holder, dies at age 36

Former San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith has died at the age of 36.

 

He was not on the list.

Aldon Smith, a former 49ers pass rusher and the franchise record-holder for sacks in a single season, died at the age of 36 on Saturday.

The 49ers announced the news in a statement, but no cause of death was provided.

"We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith," the statement reads. "Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon."

Smith became a star early in his NFL career, reaching 30 career quarterback sacks faster than any player in league history.

In 2012, his second NFL season, he registered 19.5 sacks with the 49ers -- a franchise record that still stands -- and was named the winner of the Bill Walsh Award for best representing the standard of excellence the legendary coach established with the franchise while winning three Super Bowls in the 1980s.

A No. 7 overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft by the 49ers, Smith appeared in 50 games (30 starts) and registered 152 tackles, 44.0 sacks, five passes defensed, five forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery during his four seasons in San Francisco. Smith also appeared in eight postseason contests (six starts) and totaled 20 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The 49ers released Smith in the summer of 2015 following his third DUI arrest since he entered the NFL as the No. 7 overall pick in 2011. He served a nine-game suspension the previous year for violations of the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. In 2013, he took a five-game leave of absence to enter into treatment.

More problems followed Smith after his 49ers tenure ended; he played the 2015 NFL season with the then-Oakland Raiders, then was away from the game for four full seasons. The NFL reinstated him in 2020, and he played for the Dallas Cowboys.

Smith served a six-month jail sentence in 2023 in San Mateo County Jail after pleading no contest for a 2021 DUI crash.

The Las Vegas Raiders also shared a statement Saturday mourning Smith's passing.

During a 2024 interview on "49ers Talk," Smith told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco that his off-field struggles helped him realize "the relationship we have with ourselves is the most important thing," and expressed excitement about sharing the progress he had made through rehab and therapy.

That year, he went on to serve as a mentor for rookies with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders.

He played college football for the Missouri Tigers and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. Smith was a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection as an outside linebacker with the 49ers in 2012. He also played at defensive end for the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

According to ESPN, the former NFL defensive lineman "died Saturday (June 13, 2026) in the Bay Area. He was 36." Smith's friend tried to revive him after finding the former NFL star slumped over inside a truck, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.The Chronicle reported that Smith spent his last hours helping deliver pizzas to a homeless charity

Appearing on Keyshawn Johnson's "All Facts, No Breaks" podcast in June 2024, Smith told Johnson he was hoping his journey could be a cautionary tale for young players trying to make their way.

"I'm grateful for my journey so far because of where I am now," Smith told Johnson. "Just my plan, how I want to interact with the world I'm in and the people I get to meet, I don't think it would have been possible if I didn't have the journey I've had so far."

 

Career information

High school     Raytown (Raytown, Missouri)

College            Missouri (2008–2010)

NFL draft        2011: 1st round, 7th overall pick

Career history

San Francisco 49ers (2011–2014)

Oakland Raiders (2015–2017)

Dallas Cowboys (2020)

Seattle Seahawks (2021)*

* Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Awards and highlights

First-team All-Pro (2012)

Pro Bowl (2012)

PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011)

First-team All-Big 12 (2010)

Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2009)

Career NFL statistics

Total tackles    228

Sacks   52.5

Interceptions    1

Forced fumbles            6

Fumble recoveries       3

Pass deflections           10

Defensive touchdowns            1