Aldon Smith, the former San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker, has died at 36, as announced by the team on June 13. Smith, the 7th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, had a promising start to his career, recording 14 sacks in his rookie season and 19.5 in his second, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. However, his career was marred by multiple arrests and suspensions, leading to a lengthy absence from the league before a brief return with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. No cause of death has been revealed, and the 49ers expressed their devastation over his sudden passing.
