Former NFL Star, Aldon Smith Passed Away At The Age Of 36, What Happened To The Pass Rusher?

Former NFL star, Aldon Smith passed away at the age of 36. The news was confirmed by TMZ and the San Francisco 49ers on June 13, 2026. Aldon Smith was one of the most dominant pass rushers in NFL history in the 2010s. While he was one of the explosive defenders, his journey was not a bed of roses, and his NFL career was sidetracked by personal struggles, after which he returned to the field not as a player but as a leader or mentor. However, it was on June 13, 2026, when it was reported that Aldon Smith passed away suddenly at the age of 36, which sparked grief around. So, let's have a look at what happened.

Aldon Smith passed away at 36: What exactly happened to him?

TMZ and the 49ers recently confirmed that Aldon Smith passed away at the mere age of 36. No further details about his passing were shared, and as per a statement by the 49ers, with whom Smith was associated, it's devastating that such a person, whose infectious smile would light up every room he walked, passed away suddenly. The 49ers acknowledged his contribution and praised his skills, adding that his sheer dominance and undeniable talent were on display since the time he joined the team. To mention, the cause of death of Aldon Smith or what happened to him has not been shared, as of now. The statement from the 49ers could be read as:

"We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. 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."

A look at Aldon Smith's career

Being born in Greenwood, Mississippi, Aldon Smith attended Raytown High School in Raytown, Missouri, where he played for the Raytown Bluejays high school football team. While he was already grabbing attention with his skills, it was from 2008 to 2010 that Aldon attended the University of Missouri and was redshirted as a freshman, playing 11 of 13 games at defensive end and finishing with 60 tackles and 11 sacks. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a first-team Freshman All-American. In 2011, he entered the NFL Draft and was hired by the 49ers.

By 2012, Aldon Smith was named to the Pro Bowl and earned First Team All-Pro honours for his outstanding skills on the field, as evidenced by the franchise's dominant season record, including 19.5 sacks. From 2013, several halts occurred in Smith's career. He had a good start; however, it was in September 2013, when he was involved in an accident, and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. Following this, he entered rehabilitation and missed five games. On his return, he again ruled the field with his dominance; however, in 2014, he faced a 9-game suspension from the NFL for violating the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies.

A year later, in 2015, the 49ers released Aldon following his 3rd DUI arrest. In the same year, he signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders, but he was again suspended by the NFL for violating substance policies. He was missed in seasons from 2016 to 2019, with the Raiders releasing him in 2018, officially. He made a comeback in 2020 and signed with the Dallas Cowboys. On his return, he performed well, and in the following year, he signed another contract with the Seattle Seahawks, but was released eventually, which marked the end of his career. He returned as a mentor and leader during the time frame of 2022 to 2025, and speaking about his struggles, Smith told Medium:

"I learned a lot from all the situations I got myself into. Now, I’m alive, I’m sober, and in a good space. After my career ended, I wasn’t sure what to do next, but I knew I wanted to use my experiences to help others. I didn’t want to coach or go into broadcasting like a lot of other athletes do, so I started focusing on how I could help and guide others in the right direction using my experience and everything I’ve learned."

Our deepest condolences to Aldon Smith's family!

Also Read: Why Did Tom Brady And Bridget Moynahan Split? Inside Their Reunion For Son, Jack's Graduation

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