When news broke Wednesday evening that the Dallas Cowboys had signed former All-Pro edge rusher Aldon Smith, it threw the NFL world for a loop.
Smith, 30, last suited up as a member of the Oakland Raiders back in 2015. His off-field rap sheet is too detailed to point out here. It includes multiple DUI arrests and an arrest on terrorist threats at an airport in Southern California. Mixed in between, Smith has been involved in domestic altercations.
On the field, he was among the best edge rushers in the NFL during his days with the San Francisco 49ers. Selected No. 7 overall back in 2011, Smith recorded 74 quarterback hits and 42 sacks in his first three NFL seasons. He was on pace to absolutely obliterate the career sack record before substance abuse issues caught up with the Missouri product.
Now sober, Smith returns to the league. Needless to say, the NFL world had its reactions to Wednesday night’s stunning news.