Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) reacts after defensive end Ray McDonald (91) recorded a sack against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
It was about a decade ago that Aldon Smith was considered one of the best young pass rushers in the NFL. Back in 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers, the former first-round pick from Missouri recorded a whopping 19.5 sacks. He followed that up by registering 8.5 sacks the following season.
That’s when his demons and off-field issues caught up with Smith. Over the course of the next couple years, he bounced around between the 49ers and then-Oakland Raiders — finding himself released by each organization following multiple DUI arrests and other issues with the law.
Smith, 32, now finds himself in trouble with the law again. According to TMZ Sports, the free agent was arrested in Northern California Monday evening on a felony charge of DUI causing injury.
“Details surrounding the arrest are unclear — we’re working on it — but records show Smith was booked into a Northern California jail at 7:38 PM on Monday night,” TMZ Sports noted. “The records show Smith’s bail has been set at $50,000. Smith is still in custody. The 32-year-old pass rusher is due in court for a hearing on the matter on Wednesday, according to the records.
There is no further information surrounding Smith’s most-recent arrest. But given his history, this has to be of concern. It also comes shortly after former Las Vegas Raiders star Henry Ruggs was arrested in the desert metropolis for a DUI resulting in death. Ruggs was ultimately released by the Raiders. Of course, these are stories we don’t want to cover when it comes to either current or former NFL players.
Despite all of this, Aldon Smith made his return to the NFL as a member of the Dallas Cowboys last season. It was his first action after being suspended for each of the previous four seasons. As a part-time pass rusher, he recorded 14 quarterback hits and five sacks — only to be sent packing by Dallas ahead of the 2021 season.
We’ll have further updates on this story as they become available.